JERUSALEM/GAZA – The Israeli navy intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla on Wednesday, detaining several crew members and cutting live transmissions from participating vessels.
The flotilla, carrying more than 500 activists from 44 countries, includes climate activist Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, European lawmakers, and former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad. Organizers said the ships were transporting symbolic aid, mainly food and medicine, for Palestinians in Gaza.
Activists reported Israeli warships circling their boats, jamming communications, and disabling cameras as the convoy sailed through international waters. Israel called the flotilla a provocation and urged delivery of aid through “authorized channels,” while Spain defended the mission as a legitimate humanitarian effort.
Legal experts remain divided over the legality of Israel’s blockade and its right to intercept vessels in international waters.
