The largest Gaza-bound flotilla yet was intercepted by Israeli forces on Wednesday night, with hundreds on board the boats, including climate activist Greta Thunberg.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of more than 40 boats and around 500 participants, was bringing resources to the war-torn Gaza Strip. It was nearly 70 miles from Gaza when it was intercepted by Israeli naval forces, according to CNN.
The flotilla and its supporters are calling it a humanitarian mission. The Israeli Foreign Ministry is labeling it a “provocation.”
“The sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation. Israel, Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have all offered and continue to offer the flotilla a way to peacefully deliver any aid they might have to Gaza,” the Foreign Ministry posted on X. “The flotilla refused because they are not interested in aid, but in provocation. The Israeli Navy has reached out to the Hamas-Sumud flotilla and asked them to change course. Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade. Israel reiterated the offer to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza.”
Thunberg pushed back on the criticism, “I don’t think anyone would risk their life for a publicity stunt,” she told BBC, adding that the flotilla is sending a message that “when our governments fail to step up, the people will step up.”
This isn’t the first time a flotilla — specifically with Thunberg on board — has tried to intercept the Israeli naval blockade that has been in place around Gaza since Hamas took over in 2007. In June, a boat organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an alliance of several pro-Palestinian groups — including one designated as a terrorist group in Israel — was detained by the Israel Defense Forces.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, one boat still remains in international waters, but it was warned it would be intercepted if it approached the blockade.
“Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” the ministry posted, showing a video of Thunberg receiving water and a jacket from an Israeli soldier.
The interception has sparked outrage across the globe, leading to protests in Rome, Naples, Istanbul, London and Berlin, with protesters chanting support for Gaza and Palestine.
Groups have accused Israel of purposely blocking aid to the Gaza Strip, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called this an “outright lie,” according to BBC.
Flotilla stopped days after Trump’s peace plan was announced
The interceptions occurred only days after President Donald Trump, joined by Netanyahu in Washington, announced his peace plan to end the Gaza war.
Here are details of the administration’s plan, per the White House:
- Gaza will become a “deradicalized terror-free zone” that does not pose threats to neighboring countries.
- Gaza will be redeveloped for its people, “who have suffered more than enough.”
- A permanent ceasefire would begin immediately upon both parties agreeing to the proposal.
- Under the ceasefire, Israeli troops would withdraw from Gaza to an agreed upon line as a hostage release begins.
- Hostages, alive and dead, will be released by Hamas within 72 hours of the agreement.
- Israel would then release 250 prisoners with life sentences and the 1,700 Gazans who have been detained since the start of the war.
- Amnesty will be given to Hamas members who commit to non-violence and want to remain in Gaza. Those who wish to leave will be provided safe passage.
- Rehabilitation infrastructure and aid will be immediately sent to Gaza. Entry and distribution of the aid will not be interfered with.
- The Rafah crossing will be reopened in both directions to facilitate the aid deliveries.
- Gaza will be governed by a “temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee” responsible for running the day-to-day public services. The committee will be overseen by a new international body, called the Board of Peace, which will be overseen by Trump and other international leaders.
- A “Trump economic development plan” will intend to “rebuild and energize Gaza.”
- Hamas will agree to not have any role in governance in Gaza, “directly, indirectly, or in any form.”
- The United States will work with Arab countries to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force to be deployed in Gaza. The force will provide support to Palestinian police forces to secure borders, prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the aid and infrastructure flow into the region.
- Israel will also agree to not occupy or annex Gaza, withdrawing the Israel Defense Force from the region on a timeframe agreed upon with the U.S., the International Stabilization Force and other involved parties.
- If Hamas does not agree, the plan will proceed in Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza.
- The plan includes a hope that this will create the conditions for a “credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” which the White House recognizes as the aspiration of Palestinian people.
“I want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for agreeing to the plan and for trusting that if we work together, we can bring an end to the death and destruction that we’ve seen for so many years, decades, even centuries, and begin a new chapter of security, peace and prosperity for the entire region,” Trump said on Monday.
“I hope that we’re going to have a deal for peace, and if Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible, they’re the only one left. Everyone else has accepted it.”