A tracker following the vessels participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla shows a single boat entering the waters near Gaza, as others were intercepted by the Israeli military.
Newsweek has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) via online form for comment.
Why It Matters
The seaborne aid mission comes as the war in Gaza approaches its third year, with aid agencies warning that conditions have become catastrophic. Food, fuel, and medical shortages have left civilians in dire need, and international pressure for relief efforts continues to grow.
It also comes as an international spotlight is on a peace Gaza proposal–presented by President Donald Trump and endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu–which represents one of the most consequential outside efforts to end the war in Gaza.
What To Know
The single boat that appears to have evaded Israeli security forces is called the Mikeno. It is seen on the tracker heading toward Gaza. It was not immediately clear if the vessel was intercepted and escorted, had evaded the Israeli forces, or if there was an error with the tracker.
Videos shared by flotilla activists on social media showed Israeli forces intercepting boats and detaining passengers before they reached the waters around Gaza.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry also shared images of detained activists that it said were being taken to Israel for deportation. The activist Greta Thunberg was among those detained.
“Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health,” the Israeli ministry said in a post on X, showing some of the detained activists, three of whom were smiling.
Earlier, the IDF said in a statement on X that the flotilla had been “safely stopped” and its passengers, including Thunberg, were being transferred to an Israeli port.
“Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” it added in a post on X, sharing a clip of Thunberg after she was removed from the ship.
The coalition of about 50 civilian boats set sail from Barcelona, Spain, in August, carrying food and medical supplies in an effort to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Activists say the flotilla is carrying medical and food aid to Gazans who are suffering amid the Israel-Hamas war. They are protesting what they say is a genocide, an accusation Israel rejects.
Israel accuses the flotilla’s activists of a provocation and it has vowed to block all such convoys, arguing that aid can be delivered through Israeli ports under inspection.
On October 1, the group was about 60 miles from the coast of Gaza, when the ships were intercepted by the Israeli military.
Global Sumud Flotilla has accused Israel of targeting several of its ships with “water cannons” and of ramming others as the military intercepted the vessels. No injuries were reported.
The interception of the flotilla has sparked global outrage, with protests erupting in Germany and Italy, where demonstrators took to the streets with “Free Palestine” banners.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced all Israeli diplomats in Colombia will be leaving the country following the blocking of the convoy, while the Spanish Foreign Ministry said it was “fully mobilized to provide all diplomatic and consular protection to our citizens.”
What People Are Saying
Dr. James Smith, a British practician and supporter of the flotilla’s mission, told CNN: “It is incumbent upon all states to ensure effective and independent humanitarian access to Gaza…Governments have failed to act with requisite urgency. We’re now talking about more two years of an escalating genocide. At best, we’ve seen rhetoric of condemnation while many states have still chosen to do nothing.”
What Happens Next
Israel has said the detained activists will be deported to Europe.
