Israel seizes last flotilla vessel in international waters, detains activists at Ketziot Prison
The Marinette, with a six-member crew, pressed forward “with the spirit of Sumud—even after seeing the fate of 41 boats before her,” organizers said
GAZA (MNTV) – Israel has captured the final vessel of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), taking activists into custody after intercepting the Polish-flagged Marinette in international waters on Friday morning.
The flotilla organizers said Israeli naval forces boarded the vessel at 10:29 a.m. local time (0729 GMT), about 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza. A livestream showing the approach abruptly ended after a soldier smashed the onboard camera, they added.
Over the past 38 hours, Israeli forces intercepted all 42 boats that made up the aid mission, which carried humanitarian supplies and more than 500 volunteers from over 50 countries.
The Marinette, with a six-member crew, pressed forward “with the spirit of Sumud—even after seeing the fate of 41 boats before her,” organizers said.
Detainees from the flotilla were transferred to Ketziot Prison in the Negev Desert, about 30 kilometers from Gaza.
Lawyers from Israeli rights group Adalah accompanied the activists during lengthy interrogations, which lasted more than 15 hours, and were traveling to the prison on Friday to meet them.
According to the organizers, detainees’ morale remains high, with some activists launching hunger strikes.
While a few signed “Emergency Exit Requests” to accelerate deportation, most refused. Those who did not sign can legally be held up to 72 hours.
Diplomatic visits have also begun, with two Israeli ministers meeting detainees on Thursday. The flotilla emphasized that despite the seizure, its mission continues: “This is not the end. Our determination to confront Israel’s atrocities and stand with the Palestinian people remains unshaken.”
Israel has enforced a blockade on Gaza, home to nearly 2.4 million people, for almost 18 years. The GSF sought to break this siege and deliver humanitarian aid to the enclave.
Since October 2023, Israeli bombardments and ground assaults have killed more than 66,000 Palestinians — most of them women and children — and devastated the territory, leaving it largely uninhabitable.
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