Israeli enemy forces have seized control of multiple vessels carrying hundreds of activists and aid to the Gaza Strip, in an illegal operation in international waters hundreds of miles from Israeli territory.
Global Sumud Flotilla reports Israeli forces systematically disabled several boats before retreating, “intentionally leaving hundreds of civilians stranded without power” to “face a calculated death trap at sea.”https://t.co/Q7GJgOQzB6
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 30, 2026
On Thursday, the Global Sumud Flotilla reported that Israeli forces approached their vessels in the Mediterranean Sea using drones, communication jamming, and armed boarding units.
WATCH | A video captures the moment Israeli naval forces attack one of the vessels in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy carrying activists from dozens of countries in an attempt to break the blockade on the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/wDi8JwJ6QI
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 30, 2026
“Our boats were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as ‘Israel’, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons, ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees,” the flotilla said in a statement.
In a social media post, the group added: “Israeli military boats have illegally surrounded the flotilla in international waters and threatened kidnapping and violence.”
The flotilla also reported losing contact with multiple vessels. “Communication with 11 vessels has been lost and Israeli media claims that 7 boats have been intercepted. Governments must act now to protect the flotilla.”
Israeli army radio, citing an unnamed source, said forces had begun seizing control of ships heading toward the Gaza Strip, with seven of the 58 vessels intercepted near the Greek island of Crete.
Danny Danon, ‘Israel’s’ ambassador to the United Nations, said the flotilla had been “stopped before reaching” what he called “our area” and described participants as “a group of delusional attention-seeking agitators.”
Israeli enemy sources indicated the operation aimed to catch the flotilla off guard by intercepting it far from Gaza. The fleet was estimated to be about 600 nautical miles (1,111 km) from Gaza at the time. Previous interceptions by Israeli forces had occurred much closer, with the furthest prior incident reported at 72 nautical miles (133 km).
More than 50 vessels carrying activists from multiple countries had departed Italy days earlier, in what organizers described as the largest attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea.
Breaking | The Israeli army attacked and seized 50 Sumud boats carrying 400 activists attempting to break the unlawful siege on the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/iCsjytZW7V
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 30, 2026
A similar operation in October saw Israeli enemy forces intercept around 40 flotilla boats, detaining more than 450 participants including the grandson of Nelson Mandela, climate activist Greta Thunberg, and European Parliament member Rima Hassan. Some of those detained later reported physical and psychological abuse in custody before being deported.
Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar)