Credit:Top Indian News (Credit:Top Indian News)
International News: Israeli forces intercepted 19 humanitarian aid ships heading toward Gaza on Wednesday. Among the passengers was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Officials confirmed she was being taken safely to an Israeli port. The flotilla carried nearly 500 activists from over 40 nations. The incident sparked widespread outrage and international condemnation. According to AP, officials confirmed that Israeli forces stopped 19 ships heading toward Gaza with humanitarian aid on Wednesday.
Among those onboard was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Israeli authorities stated Thunberg was safe and being taken to an Israeli port. The Global Sumud flotilla, comprising 50 boats and about 500 activists, was sailing with supplies for Gaza.
Video footage shows the Israeli navy using powerful flashlights and water cannons to intimidate activists aboard flotilla vessels pic.twitter.com/NvPQ3EuXoH
— Global Sumud Flotilla Commentary (@GlobalSumudF) October 2, 2025
Organizers said vessels named Sirius, Alma, and Adara were intercepted 70 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast. The flotilla included high-profile figures such as Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and several European parliamentarians. Despite interceptions, the remaining boats continued, directly challenging Israel’s 18-year maritime blockade of Gaza.
Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 1, 2025
Greta and her friends are safe and healthy. pic.twitter.com/PA1ezier9s
Israel has enforced a strict naval blockade on Gaza for 18 years. The flotilla, which departed Barcelona last month, represented the largest attempt yet to defy the restriction. Activists reported repeated water cannon attacks but kept broadcasting their journey online, chanting for Palestinian solidarity and a free Gaza. No serious injuries were reported despite Israel’s repeated attempts to halt them.
I condemn in the strongest terms Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. These vessels carried unarmed civilians and life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza, yet they were met with intimidation and coercion.
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) October 1, 2025
By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown… pic.twitter.com/iOPiBTM4PA
Israel’s Foreign Ministry released footage of Greta Thunberg sitting calmly on the ship’s deck, provided with a raincoat and water bottle. Officials stressed she and other activists were safe. Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the operation would last 2-3 hours before detainees were moved to Ashdod port, where they would face deportation.
Turkey condemned Israel’s blockade, calling it a grave violation of international law and pledged to push for the release of detainees. Colombian President Gustavo Petro also warned of expelling Israeli diplomats and suspending the free trade deal, calling the blockade “genocide.” Spain and Italy had earlier advised the flotilla to turn back to avoid escalation.
Israel maintains the blockade is legal, citing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which allows enforcement in armed conflicts. Activists, however, argued they were unarmed civilians delivering humanitarian aid. The Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest civilian maritime mission with participants from 40 countries, was designed to create a humanitarian sea corridor for Gaza.
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