Israel moves to hijack Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters
Hijack near Crete raises alarm as activists report drones, warships, and communications blackout during humanitarian mission
ISTANBUL (MNTV) — Israeli forces have moved to intercept a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters near the Greek island of Crete, according to activists onboard and Israeli media reports, in a development that has sparked renewed concern over Israel’s enforcement of its long-standing blockade on Gaza.
Activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla said that their vessels were approached by Israeli warships and frigates, while aerial drones hovered overhead and communications systems were deliberately jammed. The disruption, they said, cut off contact with the outside world as the ships continued their course toward the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Israeli army sources, cited by the country’s public broadcaster KAN, confirmed that military forces had begun taking control of the flotilla. The decision to intercept the vessels far from Israeli territorial waters — hundreds of kilometers off the coast, near Crete — underscores the extent to which Israel is projecting its naval blockade beyond its immediate maritime boundaries.
The flotilla, organized by international civil society groups under the Global Freedom Flotilla coalition, was carrying activists and humanitarian supplies intended for Palestinians in Gaza. Participants included volunteers and campaigners from multiple countries seeking to challenge the blockade and draw attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory.
According to reporting by Al Jazeera, the interception follows a pattern of previous Israeli actions against similar missions. A prior flotilla attempt in 2025 ended with Israeli forces boarding vessels in international waters, detaining hundreds of activists before later deporting them — an operation widely criticized by rights groups and international observers.
Israel has maintained a land, air, and sea blockade on Gaza since 2007, a policy it says is aimed at preventing weapons smuggling but which has been condemned by humanitarian organizations as collective punishment. The blockade has severely restricted the movement of people and goods, contributing to what aid agencies describe as a prolonged humanitarian emergency.
The current war has deepened that crisis dramatically. Large-scale destruction across Gaza has left vast portions of the population displaced, with basic infrastructure — including housing, healthcare, and water systems — heavily damaged or destroyed. Aid groups warn that access to humanitarian assistance remains critically limited.
The latest interception is likely to intensify scrutiny of Israel’s conduct at sea, particularly regarding operations carried out in international waters and the targeting of civilian-led humanitarian initiatives.
The situation remains fluid, with no immediate confirmation of casualties or the fate of those aboard the flotilla.
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