Israeli Forces Intercept Freedom Flotilla En Route to Gaza Strip

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1245 EAT on Wednesday 8 October 2025

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has accused the Israeli military of attacking and intercepting a convoy of boats en route to Gaza.

According to the FFC, Israeli forces first targeted The Conscience—a lead vessel reportedly carrying 93 journalists, medical personnel, and activists—before intercepting three smaller boats on Wednesday. The group says the flotilla was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid and draw attention to the ongoing blockade of Gaza.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed a naval operation against a flotilla attempting to breach the blockade of Gaza, stating that the vessels and passengers involved have been safely detained.

“Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X. “The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly.”

The raid has drawn sharp criticism from several governments.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the Israeli action and called for the immediate release of Malaysian nationals participating in the mission.

Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Turkish citizens and lawmakers were among those on board. It denounced the raid as a “grave violation of international law” and “an act of piracy.”

Activists from Ireland, France, Denmark, and other countries are also reportedly among the passengers.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups that organized the mission, said the convoy was carrying more than $110,000 worth of vital humanitarian aid—including medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies—intended for hospitals in Gaza.

“The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters,” the organisation stated in a post on Instagram, adding that the flotilla “poses no threat.”

According to Al Jazeera, this marks the second such incident in recent days. In a separate operation, Israeli forces intercepted approximately 40 vessels and detained more than 450 activists who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, another mission attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Most of the activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, have since been deported.

Several participants from that flotilla have alleged mistreatment while in Israeli custody. Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament, said she was “beaten” by Israeli police following the interception. American activist David Adler reported being “stripped,” “zip-tied,” and “blindfolded” before detention, and claimed he was forced to pose for a photograph with Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

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