In the early hours of Wednesday, October 1, Israeli naval forces launched a coordinated assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla—a 50-vessel humanitarian convoy en route to Gaza—intercepting multiple ships in international waters, detaining civilian volunteers, and disabling communications systems.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Ship to Gaza both reported that 492 humanitarian volunteers were aboard the vessels intercepted by the Israeli navy. This number has been cited consistently across Arabic and English-language updates, including Al Jazeera Arabic, Middle East Monitor, and flotilla organizers’ official channels.
The flotilla was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, with over 530 participants from more than 45 countries. It carried food, water filtration systems, and medical supplies intended for the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Among the vessels confirmed to be boarded were the Alma, Sirius, Adara, and Ceres. Organizers reported deliberate jamming of distress signals and livestreams, with cameras disabled and contact lost with several journalists and crew members, including Al Jazeera’s Hayat Yamani.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was among those detained. CNN confirmed that detainees were being held without access to legal counsel due to the Yom Kippur shutdown of Israeli courts and prisons.
Despite the interception, many vessels continued sailing toward Gaza. Activists aboard the Alma, designated as the fleet’s command ship, refused Israeli demands to change course.
The flotilla reported shadowy encounters with unlit boats and drones tailing the convoy prior to the assault.
Organizers stated that the fleet had passed near the sites of previous Israeli attacks on the Madeleine and Hanthala ships earlier this year.
Activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla shared video they said showed Israeli vessels approaching to intercept before reaching Gaza, an act deemed illegal in international waters. pic.twitter.com/c6AS5du0sC
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 1, 2025
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s mission was to establish a civilian maritime corridor into Gaza, where nearly two years of Israeli bombardment have left the population facing starvation, disease, and infrastructural collapse.
A dedicated “Media and Medics” boat was launched to challenge Israel’s blackout on foreign press and medical access.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed the convoy as a “political provocation” and reiterated its blockade enforcement. Organizers and legal experts countered that the blockade constitutes collective punishment and violates international humanitarian law.
🚨 SOUND THE ALARM – INTERCEPTION 🚨
BREAKING: On Oct 1, 2025
Israeli naval forces illegally intercepted and boarded the Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessel Dir Yassine (Mali) along with other boats in international waters.Live-streams and communications ha… https://t.co/dzmRcUJ6DN
— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) October 2, 2025
The interception sparked immediate international backlash. Protests erupted in Rome, Milan, Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul, and Athens.
Colombia expelled its remaining Israeli diplomats, citing the operation as a violation of international law.
Ireland demanded the release of Senator Chris Andrews and 21 other Irish citizens aboard the flotilla.
Amnesty International and other rights groups called for urgent protection of the activists.
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian rights, stated that Israel’s actions constituted a breach of maritime law and humanitarian norms. The United Nations reiterated that any attack on the convoy was unacceptable.
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Simultaneously, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 73 Palestinians on Wednesday alone, including more than 40 in Gaza City. Civil defense worker Munther al-Dahshan was among those killed when missiles struck al-Falah School in the Zeitoun district, where hundreds of displaced civilians had taken shelter.
Medical sources confirmed that 85 Palestinians were killed over the preceding 24 hours. The northern region suffered the highest casualties, with 53 deaths reported.
Central Gaza recorded 28 fatalities, while four were killed in the south. Hospital records show that Al-Ahli Arab Hospital received 38 bodies, Al-Shifa Hospital documented 15, Al-Aqsa Hospital received 19, Al-Awda Hospital recorded 9, and Nasser Hospital received 4.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military campaign has killed at least 66,148 Palestinians and wounded 168,716, the majority of whom are children and women. Starvation has claimed an additional 455 lives, including 151 children.
