Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza Aid Flotilla West of Cyprus, Detaining Activists
Israeli forces have intercepted a flotilla of more than 50 boats carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus. Activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) reported their vessels were being boarded approximately 460km from Gaza, which remains under an Israeli maritime blockade.
Video footage from the flotilla showed armed commandos scaling several boats. Israel’s foreign ministry previously characterised the flotilla as "a provocation for the sake of provocation" involving "two violent Turkish groups", but provided no immediate comment on the boarding operation.
This incident follows a prior interception last month near Crete, where Israeli forces detained approximately 175 activists from the same flotilla. Most were subsequently released, though a Spanish national and a Brazilian national were held for ten days in Israel before deportation.
The remaining GSF boats departed from the Turkish port of Marmaris last Thursday, aiming to deliver essential aid to Gaza. Activists stress the urgent need for supplies, citing dire living conditions and the displacement of most of Gaza's 2.1 million residents, despite a seven-month-old ceasefire.
Israel maintains its maritime blockade on Gaza is lawful and contends the territory is "flooded with aid." However, the UN recently noted that humanitarian operations are severely hampered by restrictions on critical spare parts, generators, and fuel. The UN also reported that only 86% of initially approved humanitarian supplies ultimately reached Gaza, with the remainder returned.
The current conflict began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has reportedly killed over 72,760 people, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
