Israeli Forces Intercept Global Sumud Flotilla in International Waters

Darwin, 30 April : Israeli military forces have once again carried out an operation against the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea, according to organizers and Israeli media reports.

The flotilla was reportedly carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.

In a statement released Thursday, the Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli military speedboats approached their vessels, identified themselves as Israeli forces, and ordered those onboard to move forward while aiming laser devices and semi-automatic weapons at them.

The group also alleged that drones and communication-jamming technology were used during the operation.

In a social media post, the flotilla accused Israel of “illegally surrounding” its ships in international waters and threatening violence and abduction.

It added that communication had been lost with at least 11 vessels in the convoy. Israeli media, however, claimed that seven vessels had already been seized.

Israel’s Army Radio, citing a government source, reported that an operation was underway to take control of Gaza-bound aid ships. According to the report, seven vessels from a convoy of 58 ships near the Greek island of Crete have already been captured.

Global Sumud Flotilla spokesperson Gur Sabar described the incident as a “direct attack on unarmed civilian vessels in international waters.” Speaking to Al Jazeera from Toronto, he said the operation took place “hundreds of miles from Israel,” calling it illegal under international law.

“This is beyond Israel’s jurisdiction. Seizing these vessels amounts to unlawful detention—potentially even kidnapping in deep sea,” Sabar said, urging governments worldwide to act immediately to protect more than 400 civilians onboard.

Flotilla member, writer and rights activist Tariq Raouf told Al Jazeera that large Israeli naval ships surrounded the convoy before deploying rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) to encircle individual vessels.

“Drones are flying overhead with flashing lights, and Israeli forces are broadcasting messages telling us we are violating international law and must stop,” he said. He also alleged that Israeli forces were jamming communications by transmitting music over radio channels, describing it as a form of psychological warfare.

According to Raouf, the operation lasted several hours while the flotilla was sailing in international waters near Crete—far from Gaza. “We are not even close to Gaza. This is an unprecedented move by Israel,” he added.

Reports suggest the flotilla was approximately 600 nautical miles (1,111 kilometers) from Gaza at the time of the interception. Al Jazeera journalist Jack Burton noted that in previous cases, Israel had intercepted aid flotillas at distances of up to 72 nautical miles (133 kilometers).

The convoy, consisting of more than 50 vessels, departed from Italy last Sunday with activists from multiple countries. Organizers describe it as the largest humanitarian flotilla yet attempting to reach Gaza.

A similar incident occurred in October last year, when around 40 vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla were intercepted by Israeli forces while carrying aid to Gaza.

More than 450 activists were detained, including high-profile figures such as environmental activist Greta Thunberg and European Parliament member Rima Hassan. They were later deported, with some alleging physical and psychological abuse during their detention.

The latest incident is likely to intensify international debate over maritime law, humanitarian access, and the ongoing Gaza crisis.