Islamabad: Since 2009, Israeli naval forces have repeatedly intercepted, raided, and in some cases attacked with lethal force, civilian flotillas attempting to deliver food, medicine, and relief supplies to the Gaza Strip. The latest assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla, in which more than 450 activists were detained this week, underscores a long pattern of operations aimed at enforcing Israel’s blockade — a policy widely condemned as unlawful collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population.
This time, too, Israeli naval forces launched a new wave of attacks on a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, marking yet another episode in a long pattern of maritime assaults to uphold its blockade.
Passengers included citizens from Spain, Italy, Brazil, Türkiye, Greece, the United States, Germany, Sweden, the UK, France, Pakistan, and several other countries. Israel confirmed that the detainees were transferred to Ashdod Port and will be deported to Europe.
The flotilla, consisting of about 50 ships with more than 500 participants, departed at the end of August carrying baby food, medical supplies, and other essential relief items for Palestinians in Gaza.
Siege and Starvation
Since 2009, Israel has intercepted and attacked every flotilla that attempted to break its blockade of Gaza. In March 2025, Israel further tightened restrictions by closing border crossings and halting deliveries of food and medicine — measures that aid agencies say have pushed the enclave into famine and starvation.
Humanitarian sea missions to Gaza go back more than a decade, with at least eight major flotillas stopped or attacked, often in international waters.
Spirit of Humanity (2009)
On June 29, 2009, the Israeli navy intercepted the Spirit of Humanity, a vessel operated by the Free Gaza Movement, 20 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast.
Departing from Larnaca in the Greek Cypriot Administration, the boat carried medical supplies and humanitarian aid, with 21 passengers on board.
Surrounded by Israeli gunboats and threatened with gunfire, the ship was seized and escorted to Ashdod, where all passengers were detained.
Mavi Marmara (2010)
The most infamous episode occurred on May 31, 2010, when Israeli forces stormed the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish aid ship sailing in international waters toward Gaza.
The raid killed 10 activists and injured more than 50 others. The vessel was part of a flotilla of eight ships carrying about 750 people from 37 countries, along with 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid.
The attack triggered a deep diplomatic crisis between Türkiye and Israel, with Ankara demanding an official apology, compensation, and an end to the blockade.
Tahrir and MV Saoirse (2011)
In November 2011, Israeli forces intercepted two more vessels — the Canadian Tahrir and the Irish MV Saoirse — about 50 nautical miles from Gaza.
Both ships, sailing under the banner “Freedom Waves to Gaza,” carried activists determined to break the blockade. All passengers were detained and later deported.
Marianne (2015)
In June 2015, the Swedish vessel Marianne, part of the Freedom Flotilla III, was intercepted 100 nautical miles from Gaza.
The ship carried 48 activists and journalists. Most were held in Israel’s Givon Prison before being released. The Marianne was taken to Ashdod, while three other boats in the convoy were forced to turn back.
Al-Awda and Freedom (2018)
In the summer of 2018, two boats — the Al-Awda and the Freedom — attempted to protest Israel’s blockade.
On July 29 and August 3, both ships were seized in international waters. Activists on board reported being beaten during the raids.
Conscience (2025)
On May 2, 2025, the Conscience, a boat operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was struck by drones in international waters off Malta while sailing to Gaza.
The coalition accused Israel of responsibility. “Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters,” it said in a statement.
The Maltese government confirmed that 16 people — 12 crew and four civilians — were on board.
Madleen (2025)
On June 9, 2025, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Madleen, an 18-meter vessel carrying several hundred kilograms of flour, rice, baby formula, and medical supplies.
The boat, part of a Freedom Flotilla Coalition mission, was stopped less than 100 nautical miles from Gaza. All 12 people on board — including 11 international activists and a journalist — were detained, and the vessel was towed to Ashdod.
Handala (2025)
On July 26, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Handala aid ship as it neared Gaza.
All 21 activists on board were detained, and the ship was redirected to Ashdod. The vessel had reached about 70 nautical miles from Gaza, surpassing the distance achieved by the Madleen.
“Unlawful” Under International Law
Legal experts say Israel’s repeated interceptions of aid flotillas violate international law.
“Israel’s interception of the Sumud Flotilla on the high seas and/or within Palestine’s territorial waters off the coast of Gaza violates international law,” said Sergey Vasiliev, professor of international law at the Open University in the Netherlands.
Vasiliev stressed that the long-term naval blockade of Gaza is unlawful under the Geneva Conventions.
“This blockade serves no purpose other than to starve the civilian population and deprive it of objects indispensable for survival, in violation of Article 54 of Additional Protocol I and customary international law,” he said.
He emphasized that the flotillas pose no threat: “They are purely civilian initiatives with no intention or capacity to engage Israeli forces militarily; their sole purpose is to deliver humanitarian aid. The delivery of relief may not lawfully be prevented by a naval blockade.”
The professor also warned that the interceptions violate the sovereignty of the states whose flags the ships fly. “The interception of foreign-flagged ships constitutes unlawful use of force against them. The relevant flag states may seek to enforce their rights under international law.”
