Some of the first ships were stopped around 70 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza and in international waters, while further ships were stopped closer to Gaza. The Israeli navy instructed the vessels to change course, claiming they were "approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade." By contrast, the GSF called these interceptions "illegal" and "a brazen act of desperation."
According to the group, approximately 443 people were detained, and they also claimed that some civilian ships were met with water cannon. Israel claimed that all detainees were unharmed and in good condition. Video from Israel showed Thunberg seated on the deck of a ship accepting water and a jacket from an Israeli soldier. Temporary detention is occurring at Ashdod port in Israel.
The incident has drawn the ire of international responses.
Scenes of Diplomacy and Embassies
India condemns the interception, while the Colombian President Gustavo Petro expelled Israeli diplomats from Colombia, including Deputy Ambassador Sharon Bar-lev, which also included a reversal of the free trade agreement signed in 2020 and a request to have theHe called the act "the international crime of Netanyahu."
Agnès Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, said the blockade Israel has on Gaza is "unlawful," and insisted that there be an end to the impunity for violations of international law. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denounced the flotilla attempt as being non-beneficial to the Palestinians.
Countries like Pakistan, Bolivia, and Malaysia also denounced Israel's acts, and demonstrations took place in Greece, Italy, Germany, Tunisia, and Turkey. In Italy, demonstrators marched in several cities, and the main trade union CGIL called for a general strike in solidarity with Gaza.
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris stated that Israel has to follow international law, with seven citizens from Ireland being among those detained, including Sinn Féin Senator Chris Andrews. The UK Foreign Office said it has been in contact with family members of UK nationals and has made contact with Israeli authorities.
The flotilla's mission and humanitarian reasons
The flotilla left from Spain about a month earlier, with more than 40 vessels and about 500 participants, including lawyers, parliamentarians and activists, who attempted to reach Gaza with aid. The GSF announced that another attempt would take place soon, using up to 13 vessels.
Israel blocked two similar attempts in June and July. Israel has claimed the flotilla is "provocation yachts," and called the whole effort a "selfie stunt." Thunberg rejected that idea, saying, "I don't think anyone is risking their lives for a stunt."
At one point, the flotilla was accompanied by Italian and Spanish naval vessels, not because they were obligated to, but due to possible drone reconnaissance and communications issues, before being too soon intercepted to assist.
While Israel still claims that the blockade is necessary to stop resources from reaching Hamas, aid organizations claim that it is obstructing desperately needed food and medicine from reaching those who need them to save lives.
The UN's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification published a report that highlighted the existence of famine in Gaza, characterizing it as based on Israel's "systematic obstruction" of aid. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the report as a complete lie.
