In an emergency press release on Wednesday, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) reported that its Gaza-bound aid flotilla has been intercepted by Israel in international waters, roughly 80 nautical miles off the Gaza coast. The press release said that the activists on board the Global Sumud Flotilla have been detained.

The Global Sumud Flotilla and the FFC, in an Instagram post, raised alarm over the interception. The post stated that “Israeli naval forces illegally intercepted and boarded” the Flotilla’s lead vessel, Sirius, along with five other ships. Live streams and other communication are said to be cut. “The status of participants and crew remains unconfirmed,” the post reads. “This is an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians. We call on governments and international institutions to demand their immediate safety and release.” Activists on the flotilla shared videos of the Israeli military intercepting the vessels earlier on Wednesday. Despite this, nine other boats are expected to continue the mission towards Gaza.

Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that the detained crew will be “deported immediately after Yom Kippur.” Danon criticized the flotilla’s attempt to break the Israeli blockade in Gaza, stating that Israel “will not allow any PR stunt approaching an active war zone to violate our sovereignty.”

Israel’s foreign ministry asserted that the flotilla’s “sole purpose” is “provocation,” and that it has offered to peacefully deliver the flotilla’s aid through Israel’s designated channels. Israel believes that the Sumud flotilla is affiliated with Hamas, referring to the fleet as “the Hamas-Sumud flotilla.”

The flotilla, whose crew comprises activists including Greta Thunberg, set sail in September to deliver vital aid to Gaza and break Israel’s humanitarian blockade. The interception of the aid flotilla has sparked international outcry and protests across major cities, including Athens, Rome, Berlin, Brussels and Tunis, according to Al-Jazeera reports.

The FFC argues that Israel’s actions amount to violations of international and maritime law. Amnesty International condemned the interception as an “attack on international law and basic humanity.” Israel has historically intercepted and even attacked humanitarian-aid carrying flotillas to Gaza. In 2010, the Israeli navy boarded and attacked the Mavi Marmara flotilla, resulting in the death of 10 civilians, with 50 others injured. In June 2025, it intercepted and captured the British-flagged Madleen.

Al-Jazeera journalist, Hassan Massoud, reports from aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla that lawyers are “documenting violations by Israel of international humanitarian and marine law,” which will be sent to the UN International Court of Justice.

Massoud confirmed that several boats are still enroute to break the blockade, including a flotilla sailing from Sicily. The Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed on Thursday morning that its Mikeno ship “successfully broke through the Israeli blockade and entered Gaza’s territorial waters.”