Some 22 of the 58 ships that crossed the Mediterranean to bring aid to Gaza were intercepted by the Israeli Army in the early hours of this Thursday, April 30. The 175 detained activists were transferred to Israel, while the other 36 ships that avoided the assault are anchored in southern Greece or on the high seas. The organizers of the flotilla accuse Israel of "piracy" for the aggression in international waters, south of Greece. What are the limits of this type of interceptions? Below, the keys to the most recent blockade of those who try to transfer assistance to the Palestinian enclave.

First modification: 04/30/2026 - 16:52 Last modification: 05/01/2026 - 02:24

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How did the interception of the flotilla occur?

The image, which had already sparked worldwide condemnation, has been repeated again. Israeli soldiers boarded the humanitarian aid ship in total darkness, pointing their guns at the crew members who were crowded on the deck with their hands raised. The uniformed officers shouted warnings that no one should move, while the light of their flashlights flashed on the life jackets.

Thus, around twenty vessels from the Sumud Global Flotilla that were sailing loaded with humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip were intercepted during the early hours of this Thursday, April 30, near the Greek island of Crete, in international waters, as reported by the activists on board and confirmed by the Government of Israel.

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The naval squadron set sail in mid-April from Barcelona (Spain). Organizers announced that more than a thousand people from around the world would participate, with more boats expected to join as they sailed toward the eastern Mediterranean.

That's when Israel intervened. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified that "due to the large number of vessels participating in the flotilla, the risk of escalation and the need to prevent the violation of a legal blockade, early action was required in accordance with international law."

Who are the detained activists?

The ministry reported "175 activists from more than 20 boats" who were transferred "peacefully to Israel." Among those detained are thirty Spaniards, 24 Italians, 15 French, ten Malaysians, three Colombians, among others.

Global Sumud's ship tracker revealed that 22 vessels had been intercepted, while another 36 evaded the Israeli assault.

At least 26 of the latter remain anchored this Thursday south of the Greek island of Crete, assessing how to proceed and trying to contact some ships with which communication has been lost. The remaining dozen ships are still on the high seas.

Spanish firefighter Pau Pérez, who was not arrested, explained on social networks that they had spent the night trying to flee from the Israeli boats.

Activists on board, cited by the EFE news agency, were concerned about the whereabouts of some boats whose engines were allegedly disabled by the Israeli Army and left adrift, such as the case of the Tamtam, in which seven people were traveling.

"Piracy" or "pleasure cruises"?

The organizers of the Sumud Global Flotilla warned in a press release that "Israel's actions mark a dangerous and unprecedented escalation: the kidnapping of civilians in the middle of the Mediterranean, more than 965 kilometers from Gaza, for the entire world to see."

The distance between the point of interception and Gaza is approximately 1,200 kilometers, a fact highlighted in the flotilla's complaint. "This is piracy (...) which demonstrates that Israel can operate with total impunity, far beyond its borders, without any consequences," the group declared in writing.

Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis explained that Athens had not been notified of the Israeli interception, which took place outside Greek jurisdiction.

However, Israel maintained that it is "committed to freedom of navigation" and accused Hamas of being "behind the provocation of the flotilla." The thesis of Benjamin Netanyahu's Government, stated in a publication on X, suggests that the activists on board were "professional provocateurs on pleasure cruises."

Even, as a satire, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a video in which some packages of condoms and a bag with what "appear to be drugs" are seen, to affirm that this was the "medical aid" that they were transporting to the Strip. "A fleet of condoms, no more, no less," he noted.

Previously, Foreign Affairs had posted another video on social networks that shows some of the crew members after being transferred to the Israeli ship, where they are seen doing acrobatics. "Activists enjoying themselves on board," wrote the Netanyahu government.

What is the response of the international community?

Since early this Thursday, multiple Mediterranean governments began to react to the interception of the flotilla, defined by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as "an act of piracy."

In an official statement, Ankara stated that "by attacking the Sumud Global Flotilla, whose mission is to draw attention to the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the innocents of Gaza, Israel has also violated humanitarian principles and international law."

"How is it possible that Israel is allowed to attack and seize ships in international waters near Greece/Europe?"

Along the same lines, Italy demanded the immediate release of all compatriots who were "illegally detained," in the words of the office of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has been one of Israel's closest allies in Europe, but in recent weeks has criticized its attacks against Lebanon.

In fact, Rome suspended a defense cooperation agreement with Israel in early April due to the Middle East situation. "The Government reaffirms its commitment to continue providing humanitarian aid to Gaza within the framework of our cooperation and in accordance with international law," declared the premier.

Likewise, the UN special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, asked in X "How is it possible that Israel is allowed to attack and seize ships in international waters near Greece/Europe?" And he added: "Whatever you might think of apartheid Israel and its genocidal leaders, this should send shockwaves across Europe."

From Latin America, Colombian President Gustavo Petro denounced the arrest of three compatriots who were part of the flotilla, whom he referred to as "kidnapped" and accused "Netanyahu's genocidal regime" of "illegally" taking the vessels in international waters.

The institutional condemnation soon spread to the streets. Greek activists announced a protest demonstration for this Thursday in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens. Demonstrations were also called in Rome and Madrid.

Blockade against Gaza

The Global Sumud flotilla achieved global recognition at the end of 2025 after sending several naval squadrons with humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave besieged by Israel.

One of those attempts to break the blockade against Gaza managed to cross the 12 nautical mile (22 kilometer) line that marks the division between international waters and territorial waters. However, like the previous and subsequent attempts, the outpost was eventually intercepted and confiscated.

Israel arrested, detained and subsequently deported nearly 450 participants, whom it accused of being involved with the Islamist group Hamas and of having joined the flotilla for propaganda purposes or for mere enjoyment, rather than for a humanitarian purpose.

Some of the activists, including the famous Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg, denounced abuses by the Israeli authorities during their detention, although the allegations were denied by the Jewish-majority state.

The Israeli Government controls all access to the Gaza Strip and denies withholding supplies for its 2 million inhabitants.

However, both Palestinians and international aid agencies say supplies reaching the territory remain insufficient, despite a ceasefire reached last October that included guarantees of increased humanitarian assistance.

With AP, Reuters, EFE and local media

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