Israel Deports Pro-Palestinian Activists from Gaza-Bound Flotilla to Europe
Israel announced on Thursday that it will deport pro-Palestinian activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, who were part of a flotilla attempting to reach Gaza. The Israeli navy intercepted multiple vessels from the "Global Sumud Flotilla" in the Mediterranean as they sought to break the blockade on the Palestinian enclave, where the UN has warned of famine.
The flotilla, which set sail last month with around 45 vessels and passengers including politicians and human rights activists, aimed to deliver humanitarian aid and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. By Thursday, more than 30 of the ships had either been intercepted or were believed to be in Israeli custody, according to the flotilla’s tracking system.
Israel's Foreign Ministry confirmed the activists were in good health and being transported to an Israeli port for deportation to Europe. Photos posted on social media showed Thunberg and others on board a vessel, retrieving their belongings. The ministry referred to the group as “Hamas-Sumud passengers,” and said deportation procedures were underway.
Despite the interceptions, flotilla spokesman Saif Abukeshek said the remaining ships were pressing on with their mission. “They are determined. They are motivated, and they are doing everything within their hands to break the siege,” he stated.
The flotilla organizers condemned Israel’s actions as “illegal,” claiming the ships were traveling in international waters. They reported losing communication with several vessels after live feeds were abruptly cut off.
Hamas, whose October 7, 2023, attack on Israel triggered the ongoing war in Gaza, called the flotilla’s interception “a crime of piracy and maritime terrorism.”
Support for the Palestinian cause has continued to grow worldwide amid the prolonged conflict, with increasing criticism from civil society groups and governments directed at Israel’s military actions.
Spain and Italy, whose citizens were aboard some vessels, had earlier urged the activists to turn back before crossing into Israel’s declared maritime exclusion zone off Gaza. Both countries had sent naval ships to accompany their nationals but stopped at the 150-nautical-mile limit. Organizers accused them of trying to “sabotage” the mission.
Following a 10-day stop in Tunisia—where organizers reported drone attacks—the flotilla resumed its journey on September 15. Since then, participants reported multiple incidents of harassment by Israeli naval vessels, including aggressive maneuvers around the ships Alma and Sirius.
The flotilla said on social media that it remained “vigilant” as it approached the waters where previous aid missions had been blocked or attacked.
Solidarity protests have erupted in several cities, including Rome, where large crowds gathered on Wednesday. In Naples, demonstrators briefly shut down the central train station. Italian unions have called for another strike on Friday to demand stronger action against Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the Israeli actions and announced the expulsion of all remaining Israeli diplomats from Colombia. Turkey labeled the interception “an act of terrorism” and a grave violation of international law.
Spain’s digital minister Oscar Lopez had earlier appealed to the flotilla not to breach the exclusion zone, while Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez insisted the activists posed no threat. Spain also summoned the Israeli ambassador in Madrid on Thursday, noting that 65 Spanish nationals were involved in the flotilla.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned the mission could undermine a new U.S.-backed peace proposal for Gaza, currently under negotiation.
Israel has previously blocked similar flotilla missions in June and July of this year.
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