Thirteen vessels carrying activists and humanitarian aid to Gaza were intercepted by Israeli forces, including the Greek ship Oxygono with 7 passengers, while 30 other boats continue sailing toward the Gaza Strip, 46 nautical miles from their destination, hoping to arrive within the day.
Israeli attack on Gaza flotilla: Greek citizens and Greta Thunberg detained
As reported by the organization in a Facebook post, the crew of the Oxygono vessel has been abducted and demands the safe return of the crew. Simultaneously, it calls for a protest rally at 10:00 at the Foreign Ministry and at 18:30 at Freedom Park and in dozens of cities across Greece.
In a video from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, verified by Reuters, the flotilla’s most famous passenger, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, can be seen sitting on a deck where an Israeli soldier returns her belongings after her arrest. As stated by the Israeli Foreign Ministry on platform “X”: “Already 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”.
Already 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. pic.twitter.com/PA1ezier9s— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 1, 2025
It should be noted that the flotilla consists of more than 40 civilian ships with approximately 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists and is carrying medicines and food to Gaza. The flotilla published numerous videos on Telegram with messages from people aboard the various vessels, some holding their passports and claiming they were abducted and transported to Israel against their will, reiterating that their mission was a non-violent humanitarian effort.
International reactions
The flotilla is the most prominent symbol of opposition to Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Its journey through the Mediterranean Sea drew international attention, as countries including Turkey, Spain and Italy sent ships or drones in case their citizens needed assistance, even as it prompted repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry characterized Israel’s “attack” on the flotilla the as a “terrorist act” that endangered the lives of innocent civilians. Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel’s entire diplomatic mission on Wednesday, following the arrest of two Colombians from the flotilla. Israel has had no ambassador to Colombia since last year. Petro characterized the arrests as a possible “new international crime” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded the release of the Colombians. He also terminated Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla on Thursday, adding that Israeli forces had arrested eight Malaysians. As he characteristically stated: “By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel showed absolute contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the world’s conscience”.
Israel’s interception of the flotilla sparked protests in Italy and Colombia, with Italian unions declaring a general strike for Friday in solidarity. The Israeli navy had previously warned the flotilla that it was approaching an active combat zone and violating a legal naval blockade, demanding they change course.
30 ships continue their course
The humanitarian aid flotilla represents the latest attempt to break Israel’s sea blockade of Gaza, with flotilla organizers condemning the events as a “war crime”. As they reported, the military used aggressive tactics, including water cannons, but no one was injured.
The organizers stated in an announcement: “Several vessels … were intercepted and illegally boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters”. The vessels were approximately 70 nautical miles from the war-torn area when intercepted, within a zone Israel monitors to stop any approaching ships. Organizers also said their communications had been blocked by Israel.
Finally, as flotilla organizers declared in a Telegram post early Thursday (2/10), thirty ships continue sailing toward the Gaza Strip. Additionally, they reported being 46 nautical miles from their destination and the flotilla hopes to reach Gaza within the day.
