Israeli navy intercepts at least three boats in Sumud Flotilla headed to Gaza

The Israeli navy on Wednesday intercepted and boarded at least three of the larger vessels in the international aid flotilla headed for Gaza, in what activists are describing as "an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians in international waters".

The Israeli navy circled the boats around 8:30pm Gaza time, some 70 nautical miles off the coast of the besieged enclave. 

The boats Alma, Surius and Adara "were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters", a statement by the Global Sumud Flotilla said.

"Prior to illegally boarding the ships, it appears as though the Israeli naval vessels intentionally damaged ship communications, in an attempt to block distress signals and stop the live stream of their illegal boat boarding."

As a result, live feeds from some of the boats, including Middle East Eye's, as well as communication with those on board, was lost.

"We are diligently working to account for all participants and crew. We will share updates as soon as we have confirmed information about the status of boats, detentions, injuries and potential casualties," the statement said. 

The Global Sumud Flotilla is made up of 52 boats with 500 activists from 44 different countries. 

Naval vessels from Spain, Italy and Turkey have been trailing the boats to provide support, including any necessary rescue operations, as well as food and water. 

"We call on governments, world leaders and international institutions to demand the safety and release of all on board and continue to monitor this situation closely," the statement said.

Despite the interception, the flotilla "will continue undeterred" according to the statement.

'Unlawful interception'

Israel's foreign ministry on Wednesday shared a video showing a naval officer broadcasting a warning message to the flotilla over the radio.

"This is the Israeli navy. You are approaching a blockaded zone," the young woman, whose face is not shown, says in the recording. "If you wish to deliver aid to Gaza, you may do so through the established channels. Please change your course towards the port of Ashdod, where the aid will undergo a security inspection and then be transferred into the Gaza Strip."

"The sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation," the Israeli foreign ministry wrote on X.

"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."

Former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy said the flotilla got too close to Israeli territory on Yom Kippur on purpose.

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"Israelis will be completely offline on the holiest day of the year with no ability to respond to their wild attacks," he wrote on X. 

The Global Sumud Flotilla's sole goal is to open a humanitarian corridor to the Gaza Strip, two Middle East Eye journalists who were previously on board have said.

Contrary to the Israeli line, the vessels are not carrying any weapons to Gaza, they added.

At least one of the boats includes US military veterans. 

"From day one... organisers were explaining exactly what the flotilla was carrying... aid and boxes donated by charities," MEE's Khaled Shalaby said.

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories, told MEE on Wednesday that Israel's interception is "unlawful" under two basic premises: Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip is illegal under international law, Albanese said, so "it makes no sense whatsoever".

Even under ordinary circumstances, she added, the interception of vessels in international waters as they behave in a clearly peaceful manner is illegal under international law. 

Israel had "no right" to do what it did, Albanese told MEE. 

In the UK, MP Zarah Sultana has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to "act NOW to protect UK citizens".

"One of the ships - the Ohwayla - sails under a UK flag. Onboard are humanitarians with vital aid, demanding a humanitarian corridor," she wrote on X.