Israeli Forces Intercept Last Boat in Gaza Humanitarian Flotilla

The Israeli military has intercepted the last remaining vessel of a major humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza, effectively dismantling the entire aid mission. On Friday morning, Israeli forces boarded the Polish-flagged vessel Marinette, bringing an end to the Global Sumud Flotilla’s effort to break the blockade on the Gaza Strip. The boat, reportedly carrying six crew members, was the final ship out of a 44-vessel fleet aiming to deliver aid and international attention to the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Footage broadcast via livestream captured the moment Israeli naval units boarded the Marinette. According to the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza, several detainees arrested by Israeli forces have already begun an open-ended hunger strike to protest their detention. Israel’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed the deportation of four Italian nationals and said it is expediting the removal of the remaining activists. Officials claim all 461 detainees are "safe and in good health."

Human rights organizations and media watchdogs have raised concerns following the flotilla's interception. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), based in Paris, has strongly condemned the arrest of more than 20 foreign journalists who were on board to document the mission. The group emphasized that blocking reporters from covering a large-scale humanitarian effort violates the fundamental right to information. RSF’s crisis desk chief Martin Roux stated that arresting journalists in this context constitutes a serious breach of press freedom.

The Global Sumud Flotilla had attracted participants from over 40 countries, with more than 450 people detained since the Israeli navy began intercepting boats midweek. Among those detained are several high-profile figures, including environmental activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and European Parliament member Rima Hassan.

Israel has justified its actions by citing a “lawful naval blockade,” a claim that has been widely challenged by international legal experts. Critics argue that preventing humanitarian aid from reaching a civilian population in an active conflict zone violates international law, especially when such efforts are nonviolent in nature.

Speaking via video call prior to the Marinette’s interception, the vessel’s captain, an Australian national identifying himself as Cameron, explained that earlier engine trouble had delayed their progress. He described continuing toward Gaza with a determined crew, including Turkish nationals and a woman from Oman.

Despite Israel’s earlier warnings that any attempt to breach the naval blockade would be stopped, the flotilla organizers pressed forward. Israeli forces intercepted all vessels and transferred the detained passengers to facilities in Israel for processing and deportation.

Stephen Cotton, general secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, condemned the seizures, stating that intercepting peaceful, humanitarian vessels in international waters is unlawful. He added that international law must be upheld consistently, warning against the militarization of maritime routes.

The large-scale operation has drawn significant global backlash. Colombian President Gustavo Petro responded by expelling Israeli diplomats and announcing the termination of his country’s free trade agreement with Israel. European nations including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Greece, Ireland, and Spain have urged Israel to ensure the safety and rights of those detained.

The United Nations has not officially responded, but UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, labeled the operation an “illegal abduction.” She expressed solidarity with Gaza’s civilian population and criticized Israel’s ongoing military actions in the territory.

As tensions continue to escalate over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla has intensified international scrutiny of Israel’s blockade and raised broader concerns about the treatment of civilians and human rights advocates attempting to deliver aid.