Israeli Forces Intercept Global Sumud Flotilla; Hundreds of Activists Detained

Sahir Baloch

Gaza / Tel Aviv / Islamabad: Israeli naval forces have intercepted nearly all vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a civilian convoy attempting to break the blockade of Gaza, detaining hundreds of international activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad of Pakistan.

The flotilla, comprising more than 40 boats and about 500 participants from 44 countries, was boarded late on Wednesday in international waters, roughly 70 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast. Israel said the vessels were attempting to “breach a lawful naval blockade” while organisers denounced the interceptions as “illegal” and a “desperate act” to prevent aid from reaching Gaza.

Pakistani delegation targeted

According to advocacy group Pak-Palestine Forum, Mushtaq Ahmad, who was leading the Pakistani delegation, was among those detained. In a post on X, the group confirmed: “Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan arrested by Israel.” It added that only one observer boat managed to evade capture, carrying delegate Syed Uzair Nizami, who relayed details of the raid.

In the early hours of Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned what he called a “dastardly attack” on the flotilla. “Their crime was to carry aid for the hapless Palestinian people. This barbarity must end. Peace must be given a chance, and humanitarian aid must reach those in need,” he said. Later, the premier commended the presence of Pakistanis on the mission, saying their participation reflected the country’s “peace-loving aspirations, struggle for justice, and spirit of helping those in need.” He added that Islamabad was seeking the return of its citizens and was praying for their safety and dignity.

International fallout

By Thursday afternoon, Israeli officials confirmed that all but one vessel had been seized and redirected to Ashdod port, where passengers were being processed for deportation. The fate of one ship, the Mikeno, which activists claim briefly entered Gaza’s territorial waters, remains unclear.

Footage released by Israel showed Thunberg sitting on deck surrounded by soldiers. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said. Activists alleged some boats were hit with water cannon and stun grenades, with communications deliberately jammed.

Governments worldwide have reacted sharply. Colombia expelled Israeli diplomats and scrapped a free trade deal, calling the raid an “international crime.” Malaysia, Turkiye, Venezuela and Ireland condemned Israel’s actions, while Germany urged restraint. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised the flotilla itself, saying it “brought no benefit” to Palestinians but vowed to repatriate Italian nationals on board.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, renewed calls for Israel to lift the blockade and allow unrestricted humanitarian access, calling Gaza’s crisis “man-made.” Amnesty International described the blockade as “unlawful” and urged an end to Israel’s “decades-long impunity.”

Blockade challenges

The naval blockade has been in place since 2009 and has faced repeated challenges by international activists. The most infamous was the 2010 raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, in which 10 people were killed.

Protests erupted in European and Latin American cities overnight as supporters demanded the release of detained activists and an end to the Gaza blockade, now in its 18th year.