April 30, 2026, 10:35 a.mApril 30, 2026, 10:35 a.m
The Israeli navy intercepted more than 20 ships from an international Gaza aid fleet in the Mediterranean and arrested dozens of activists. According to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, around 175 activists will be brought “peacefully” to Israel.
Israel has stopped ships from the “Global Sumud Flotilla”.Image: keystone
The “Global Sumud Flotilla”, on the other hand, spoke of a “violent operation in international waters”. Marines boarded several boats and “systematically put them out of action.”
The operation took place west of the Greek island of Crete, which is around 1,000 kilometers as the crow flies from Israel. Intervention had been expected, but the timing and distance were surprising. Israeli media reported that the fleet was stopped early because of its size.
Serious accusations from the organizers
Organizers accused Israel of destroying engines and navigation systems. In addition, civilians were left behind on damaged ships that were unable to maneuver. This happened despite an approaching storm. Communication connections were also disrupted.
The army only briefly commented on this. She referred to the enforcement of the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, which Israel justifies with security considerations. You act according to the instructions of the political leadership.
Participants reported that military speedboats had approached at night. Soldiers pointed lasers and semi-automatic weapons at them. They were forced to go to the bow and get on their hands and knees.
Pro-Palestinian activists wanted to break the Gaza blockade
The relief fleet set sail from Sicily on Sunday. Activists from numerous countries were on board. The organizers spoke of the largest mission of its kind to date. Israel accused the organizers of having collaborated in the preparation with the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas, which still controls around half of the coastal strip.
The aim of the aid fleet was to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip that has existed since 2007. At the same time, relief supplies should be brought to the area, which has been largely devastated in more than two years of war. The initiative also calls for a permanent humanitarian corridor.
Israel has always prevented similar attempts in the past. An earlier trip by the flotilla last fall was also stopped. (dab/sda/dpa)