Israeli naval forces board pro-Palestinian flotilla 75 miles from Gaza

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

At least two ships from a pro-Palestinian flotilla have been boarded by Israeli forces roughly 75 miles off the coast of Gaza, as it attempted to breach the maritime blockade of the war-torn territory and bring aid.
...
Thunberg, along with other activists on her ship, was arrested and taken into custody at the port of Ashdod.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which consists of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Thunberg and the actor Susan Sarandon, was heading towards Gaza bringing humanitarian aid despite repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.

The vessels were sailing in international waters north of Egypt on Wednesday afternoon and had entered what has been described as a “danger zone” or “high risk zone”. While still in international waters, it is an area where the Israeli navy has stopped other boats attempting to break its blockade in the past and which the flotilla had been warned not to cross.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/01/israeli-military-vessels-pro-palestinian-flotilla-gaza

[moniss]

1. Netanhayu with a "buffer zone"

extending into international waters. The never ending and ever expanding "buffer zone as a means to expand military authority".

[Bayard]

3. Italy and Spain war ships were escorting them,

But then:

"European governments, including Spain and Italy, which had sent their navy ships to escort the flotilla during part of its journey, had urged the activists to turn back and avoid confrontation."

Disappointing.

[EX500rider]

4. What did you expect? Spain & Italy to go to war with Israel over this?

Israel plainly stated the flotilla could dock at the Port of Ashdod to have the supplies off loaded and delivered by Israel.

Israel for obvious reason does not want unexamined cargo delivered to Gaza as soon it would be hidden shipments of weapons from Iran etc.

[chernabogg]

5. Oh yeah

Greta delivering Iranian weapons directly to Hamas.
Give me a fuckin break dude.

[EX500rider]

6. Wow, she personally inspected the cargo on all 44 vessels?

Anyway that's not what I said, I said letting uninspected cargo into Gaza would only be a short time before it was hidden weapons shipments as the past has proved over & over.

[chernabogg]

7. The fact is

Israel just abducted and is now holding hostage 500 activists from more than 40 countries due to them bringing awareness to the genocide. It’s fucked up.

[EX500rider]

8. And if the object was really to bring in food

Why are there 500 people taking up the space of cargo, only a few people would be needed as crew on each boat.
PR stunt.

[chernabogg]

9. To encourage more people to do the same

Would be my guess. Bring more global awareness to the genocide so that more will continue to step up.
I hope Israel will release the hostages now.

[EX500rider]

11. "I hope Israel will release the hostages now." What hostages? Hamas has hostages..

If you mean the PR flotilla people I am sure they will be flown out of the country just like last time.

[chernabogg]

12. Yes, the hostages.

Ultimately, I hope they end the genocide.

[EX500rider]

13. Yes, I hope Hamas releases the hostages too! nt

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. It's PR, but it's no "stunt" - drawing attention to the authoritarian Israeli state and their illegal

detention of people in international waters.

Fuck the Israeli military.