GAZA CITY, Palestine: A group of vessels sailing toward the Gaza Strip, aiming to deliver aid to the war-torn Palestinian territory, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on Wednesday, according to the coalition behind the convoy.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups, organizes civilian maritime missions to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the enclave.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the flotilla’s vessels and passengers were safe, had been transferred to an Israeli port, and were expected to be deported shortly.
“Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing,” the ministry said.
This latest incident follows a similar operation days earlier, when Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla—comprising around 40 vessels—and detained more than 450 activists as they attempted to bring aid to Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has accused Israeli forces of “hijacking the humanitarian fleet,” stating that the ships were illegally intercepted in international waters.
“Participants – including humanitarians, doctors, and journalists from around the world – have been taken against their will and are being held in unknown conditions,” the coalition said in a statement.
“The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters,” the FFC added. “Our flotilla posed no threat.”
According to the group, the ships were carrying more than $110,000 worth of humanitarian aid, including medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies intended for Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals. The statement was also shared via the coalition’s Instagram account.
Gaza’s health authorities report that approximately 67,000 people have been killed and vast parts of the Palestinian enclave destroyed during Israel’s ongoing military campaign.
