Gaza aid flotilla: Israel intercepts vessels but one ship reported to have got through blockade – live

Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused Israel of ‘brutality’ in boarding Gaza aid flotilla that said it was sailing to help Palestinians suffering under the offensive in Gaza, reports AFP.

“This attack by the Israeli government against civilians sailing in international waters has once again shown the madness of its genocidal leaders trying hide their crimes against humanity in Gaza” and reveals “once again Israel’s brutality”, Erdogan said in a speech to his AKP party.

In recent days the Erdoğan has praised US president Donald Trump’s “efforts and leadership” to end the war in Gaza, after the US leader secured Israeli prime ,inister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support for a US-sponsored deal.

Ruhi Loren Akhtar, one of the British aid workers on board the Global Sumud Flotilla, has said that the boat she is on decided to revert back to Cyprus as some participants on the vessel were “at increased risk” and the team did not want them to be detained.

In a video posted to her Instagram account, she addressed her followers by saying: “Instead of being able to deliver the humanitarian aid and open the humanitarian corridor, [other vessels] were intercepted by the Israeli Occupation Forces. We have lost communication with hundreds of our colleagues and we can only assume that they are in detention.”

She said that they believe there are still other boats sailing, with one thought to be “very close” to Gaza; “we don’t know what is happening exactly to them but there are still other vessels sailing.”

Akhtar, who is the founder of UK-based charity Refugee Biryani and Bananas, has been on board the flotilla for a month.

She explained: “We decided to revert our journey back to Cyprus, the reason being we have some participants on our vessels who are at increased risk and we didn’t want them to be detained. And also so that we could be outside to be able to advocate for our colleagues and comrades with the land teams to request a safe passage for those sailing and release those in detention.”

Protests have erupted in Europe following Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, filled with activists who were attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.

Demonstrations have taken place in Italy and Colombia, while protests were also called in Greece, Ireland and Turkey. Italian unions called a general strike for Friday.

Here are some of the latest protest images coming to us through the wires.

At least three Polish citizens were believed to be involved in the Gaza flotilla intercepted by Israel last night, including a lawmaker from the ruling Civic Coalition party, Franek Sterczewski.

Earlier in the day, Sterczewski said the flotilla had been on high alert amid reports of a possible interception, “waiting to see how events unfold.”

After the reports of the interception, the Global Movement to Gaza Poland account on X published a pre-recorded video of Sterczewski.

“If you’re seeing this video, it means I’ve been abducted by the Israeli occupying forces on international waters during the peaceful humanitarian mission of the Global Sumud Flotilla,” he said.

“A heartfelt request: stand up for me and my companions with the Polish authorities. Prime minister, minister of foreign affairs – from the bottom of my heart and as plainly as I can say it, I ask you: do everything to ensure that all members of the flotilla from the Polish delegation return home safely. Long live a free Palestine, long live a free Poland. All eyes on Gaza.”

Two other Polish citizens reported to be participating in the flotilla are Nina Ptak, vice-president of the Nomada Association, and Omar Faris, chair of the Social and Cultural Association of Polish Palestinians.

Ewa Jasiewicz, a London-born British-Polish activist and journalist, is also believed to be involved.

A spokesperson for the Polish ministry of foreign affairs said this morning all Polish citizens were “safe and unharmed,” and the Polish consul was in Ashdod to offer help.

Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk told reporters in Copenhagen that the consular services will “treat MP Sterczewski like any other citizen.”

He said: “The Polish state exists to take care of every Polish citizen in difficult, critical situations – not because he is a member of parliament, not because he decided to take part in this maritime demonstration against Israel as that was Mr. Sterczewski’s decision, and it is not my role to judge his motivations, but to provide consular support, just as we would for any other citizen in such a situation.”

But in a hint of criticism, he added:“But once again, I warn all Polish citizens – and members of parliament, in particular, should be especially cautious: if our Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues an appeal not to travel to critical areas, because it can lead to consequences and because evacuation is expensive, then I urge everyone to heed those warnings.”

Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski also indicated his frustration, saying: “The Polish ministry of foreign affairs repeatedly urged people not to travel to certain parts of the world. There are countries like Iran, Belarus, and Russia that simply take citizens of western countries as hostages. And I will say this bluntly to those who would like to ignore our recommendations: I have no hostages to exchange. You’re going at your own risk.”

Sikorski also floated the idea of a draft bill that would allow the state to recover the costs of consular interventions in such circumstances.

An Israeli navy ship has arrived at Israel’s Ashdod port after intercepting boats carrying aid to Gaza and detaining activists aboard, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg.

This comes after Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed that all detained flotilla passengers are “making their way safely and peacefully to Israel”, where their deportation process back to Europe will begin.

The British government is “very concerned” about Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, as the Foreign Office confirms British citizens are known to be on board.

“We are very concerned about the situation with the Sumud flotilla, we are in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved,” the Foreign Office says.

“The aid carried by the flotilla should be turned over to humanitarian organisations on the ground to be delivered safely into Gaza.”

A number of the boats in the flotilla were intercepted by Israeli naval forces, with some vessels still believed to be headed towards Gaza’s territorial waters.

In a statement, the flotilla organisers branded the interceptions as “illegal” since they were traversing international waters. “Beyond the confirmed interceptions, live streams and communications with several other vessels have been lost,” the statement added.

The detained activists who were on board the Global Sumud Flotilla, including Greta Thunberg, are expected to arrive at Israel’s Ashdod port in about two hours – according to Al Jazeera.

The outlet understands that while this timeframe is an estimate, it is expected to be staggered across the whole day as not all the detained activists will be arriving at once.

Overnight, from late on 1 October to the early hours of 2 October, Israeli forces stopped at least a dozen boats carrying foreign activists and aid bound for Gaza. Thunberg was seen earlier sitting on a deck surrounded by soldiers in a video from the Israeli foreign ministry verified by Reuters. The Swedish activist is the most prominent of the pro-Palestinian flotilla’s passengers, while others include Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela.

Earlier today Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed that all detained flotilla passengers are “making their way safely and peacefully to Israel”, where their deportation process back to Europe will begin.

As these activists are being taken to Israel, the naval forces continues to try to intercept the rest of the boats of the flotilla. There is now no communication with the remaining boats as the closer they get to Israeli ships, the more likely it is their communication methods would have been intercepted or jammed.

In a statement, the flotilla organisers branded the interceptions as “illegal” since they were traversing international waters. “Beyond the confirmed interceptions, live streams and communications with several other vessels have been lost,” the statement added.

Demonstrators gather in cities across the world in support of Global Sumud Flotilla, rallying in solidarity with the fleet attempting to breach the maritime blockade of Gaza.

The pro-Palestinian flotilla consists of more than 40 civilian boats and is attempting to bring symbolic humanitarian aid to the war-torn territory.

Spain’s labour minister and deputy prime minister, Yolanda Díaz, described the attack on the flotilla as “a crime against international law” and demanded that Israel immediately release those it had detained.

Writing on Bluesky, she added: “The EU needs to break off relations with Israel right now.”

Spain’s foreign ministry issued a statement late on Wednesday night, pointing out that the flotilla was a “a peaceful and humanitarian civil society initiative” and calling for the “physical integrity and rights” of the Spanish citizens aboard the flotilla to be respected. The statement concluded: “Spain will continue to demand an end to the war in Gaza, the massive entry of humanitarian aid, the release of all Israeli hostages, and the implementation of the two-state solution: Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace and security.”

Pakistan has condemned Israel’s interception of dozens of flotilla vessels, calling it a “dastardly attack”.

Writing on X, Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif sad they hope and pray for the safety of all those who “have been illegally apprehended by Israeli forces”, and calls for their immediate release.

“Their crime was to carry aid for the hapless Palestinian people,” the post said. “This barbarity must end. Peace must be given a chance and humanitarian aid must reach those in need.”

The Israeli foreign ministry said it will deport all activists that were on board the Global Sumud Flotilla. It said they are now making their way to Israel, where deportation procedures will take place.

“Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health,” the ministry said on X.

Israeli naval forces have stopped 14 flotilla vessels carrying aid to Gaza, however 23 boats are continuing to sail onwards.

Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health. pic.twitter.com/pzzitP5jN8

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 2, 2025

Hanan Ashrawi, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and former spokesperson of the Palestinian delegation to the 1991 Madrid peace conference, condemns Israel’s interception of the flotilla aid vessels.

She described it as “criminal act of piracy” in international waters, according to The Independent. She praised the work of the activists on board the vessels, and called them “brave” for challenging the Israeli offensive.

“They’re putting their lives on the line by actively intervening [and] demonstrating the real meaning of solidarity [and] human empathy,” she added.

All eyes on the Sumud flotilla! https://t.co/LUDa5LF3O5

— Hanan Ashrawi (@DrHananAshrawi) October 1, 2025

Israel’s warning to Gaza City residents came as Hamas weighed a new proposal from US president Donald Trump aimed at ending the war and returning the remaining hostages held in Gaza.

A senior official from the Palestinian militant said there were some points in the proposal that were unacceptable and must be amended, without elaborating, the Associated Press reported.

The official said the official response would come only after consultations with other Palestinian factions.

The Israeli government has ordered all remaining Palestinians to leave Gaza City.

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said it was their “last opportunity” and that anyone who stayed would be considered a militant supporter and face the “full force” of Israel’s latest offensive.

About 400,000 Palestinians have fled famine-stricken Gaza City since Israel launched a major offensive last month aimed at occupying it. But as the Associated Press reports, hundreds of thousands remain, many because they cannot afford to leave or are too weak to make the journey to tent camps in the south.

Katz posted on X on Wednesday:

This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south. Those who remain in Gaza will be (considered) terrorists and terror supporters.

The road south was packed as Palestinians fled, with hastily loaded trucks and cars driving alongside people on foot carrying their belongings.

“We left barefoot,” said Hussein al-Del. The Israelis “were striking at random, with no mercy for anyone”.

We left behind our food, our furniture, blankets, and everything. We left only with our souls.

The Global Samud flotilla has just given an update on the dozens of vessels that set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. It said 15 boats had been confirmed as intercepted, with a further eight “likely to be or currently being intercepted”.

The rest are still working their way towards the coastline. You can see their progress on the tracker here.

About 7.25pm on Wednesday, roughly 20 Israeli naval ships approached the Gaza-bound aid flotilla and ordered the boats to turn off their engines, activists have posted.

Here a new video we’ve launched looking at how the interception unfolded, including the arrest of Greta Thunberg.

The Global Sumud Flotilla’s tracker is showing its vessels heading for Gaza and which ones have been intercepted by Israel’s forces.

According to the tracker, 15 boats had been intercepted as of 3.48am GMT on Thursday.

You can view the tracker here.

A statement from the aid flotilla said earlier: “Beyond the confirmed interceptions, live streams and communications with several other vessels have been lost.”

Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla on Wednesday about 70 nautical miles off Gaza after repeatedly warning it to turn back, saying it was violating a blockade and entering an active war zone. Greta Thunberg’s vessel among those stopped from going further.

As Israeli forces began their long-anticipated interception of a pro-Palestinian flotilla nearing Gaza, the ripples of the event spread across the world, triggering mass demonstrations, diplomatic censure and threats of strikes.

Jonathan Yerushalmy and Carmela Fonbuena report in this story we just launched that in Italy – which saw a general strike in support of the flotilla last month – thousands turned out in cities across the country to back the flotilla.

Protests were also reported in Brussel, Athens, Buenos Aires and Berlin, while the Spanish government called on Israel to protect the safety and rights of activists.

In Rome, hundreds chanting “let’s block everything” gathered in front of the city’s Termini station, prompting authorities to limit access and close some metro stops.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in Milan, Turin and Genoa, while protesters in Naples and Pisa briefly occupied station platforms and blocked trains. Thousands also gathered in Bologna carrying banners and flags.

Italian media estimated 10,000 protesters had taken to the streets of Rome in support of the flotilla, while local television networks speculated on the fate of the Italian parliamentarians who were aboard.

See the full report here:

Related: Israel’s Gaza flotilla interception triggers protests, diplomatic expulsions and calls for strikes

More from Australia here: the mother of another Australian onboard the flotilla will not forgive its government “if” her daughter dies at the hands of the Israeli military, she says.

Dr Bianca Webb-Pullman is one of six Australians aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces off the Gaza coast. Her vessel has reportedly been rammed by Israeli forces, Australian Associated Press is reporting.

Webb-Pullman is still en route to Gaza but as the danger rises she has sent one last message to her mother before throwing her phone overboard.

“Even if I die, don’t worry, it was still 100% worth it,” she told her mum.

Her mother Julie Webb-Pullman has continued to receive updates from the flotilla‘s family liaison but said the Australian government’s response had been “reprehensible”.

“No parent wants to see their child die,” she said.

If she has to die because this government is not doing what it should be doing, then that’s an indictment of the government and I will not forgive them.

The Global Sumud Flotilla says Australian Abubakir Rafiq has been “abducted” after the boat he was on – Spectre – was intercepted and boarded.

Guardian Australia hasn’t separately verified Rafiq being taken, and has contacted Australia’s department of foreign affairs and trade.

Rafiq is one of six Australians who joined the flotilla of more than 40 boats. The latest information we have is that there are about 30 boats that are still on course heading towards Gaza to open up a humanitarian corridor and provide aid.

Yesterday Guardian Australia spoke to two other Australians on board – Juliet Lamont and Surya McEwen.

McEwen, who has been on multiple flotillas, said his resolve had been “magnified” as the situation continued to worsen.

“The opportunity to bring food to starving children and to bring medicine to people who aren’t being allowed to have medicine is like part of the duty of the human spirit. [It’s] the test of our generation,” he said.

In decades to come, it’ll be the question like: what did you do during this moment? Or what would you have done?

We represent billions of people across the world, and there’s people on the ground who are doing the same work ... We will create peace and justice and equality, finally, for people in Palestine.

Footage captured by a British journalist travelling with the Gaza-bound aid flotilla captured the moment activists say the Adara vessel was intercepted by Israeli forces.

In the footage – which we’ve just published – a voice onboard the vessel can be heard saying water is being fired at it, a bright light is being shined and the Adara is being circled by a “large vehicle”.

It also says things are being shouted in Hebrew, soldiers can be seen and “they’re instructing us, saying that if we follow their rules, nothing will happen to us”.

The voice then says for everyone to put their hands up.

You can watch the footage here:

Italy’s foreign minister has said he still doesn’t know the whereabouts of two Italian parliamentarians reportedly aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Antonio Tajani, who is also deputy prime minister, was quoted by Italy’s Rai News as saying it also wasn’t yet known if they had been taken off the flotilla and on to Israeli vessels.

Tajani said on Rai1’s Porta e Porta program:

The foreign ministry’s crisis unit has been following the flotilla every day, day after day. We’ve always spoken with the spokespeople, not with the parliamentarians, who work on their own.

We still don’t know where they are, we don’t know if they’ve already disembarked from the Flotilla ships to board Israeli vessels.

We’ll know everything by late morning.

Australian filmmaker Juliet Lamont – onboard the flotilla to Gaza – says the group is about 50 nautical miles from the shores of the territory.

On social media, Lamont described a military boat coming up close to the boat she’s on, Wahoo, which she says tried to manoeuvre them towards Egypt. Wahoo managed to “out manoeuvre” the military boat, she said.

In a following video, Lamont says there are still around 30 boats in the flotilla on course to Gaza, with about 30 military vessels surrounding and kettling the flotilla.

A lot of our comrades on the flotilla have been intercepted and boarded by zodiacs [boats], we’re still in formation ... We’re feeling really positive, we’re feeling really steadfast in our resolve to get the much needed aid there, [and] that we are on the right side of history.

We are feeling like we’re going to get there, when the sun rises we will be with the people of Gaza.

There are six Australians in the flotilla, across several boats.

Australia department of foreign affairs and trade said it was “aware” the flotilla had been intercepted and was “concerned about the safety of those onboard”.

Its statement said:

Our officials are liaising with Israeli authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance to any affected Australians.

Three New Zealand citizens travelling aboard the Gaza aid flotilla say they have been detained by Israel’s military forces.

In posts to social media on Wednesday, Samuel Leason, Rana Hamida and Youssef Sammour said they had been taken by Israeli forces.

“If you are watching this video, I have been kidnapped by the IOF [Israeli occupation forces] and taken to Israel against my will,” Leason said in his post. “Tell my government to end this complicity with Israel, and to bring me home.”

New Zealand’s ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement it was aware the Israeli navy had begun to intercept the flotilla.

Its embassy in Ankara was in contact with Israel’s ministry of foreign affairs and had set out its expectations for the provision of consular services to the New Zealanders onboard the flotilla, a spokesperson said.

The safety of New Zealanders is paramount. We expect any New Zealanders in the flotilla to be treated in a manner consistent with international law and have communicated this directly to Israel several times.

The ministry said New Zealand had a long-standing “do not travel” advisory in place for Gaza and warned citizens against attempts to enter Gaza by sea in breach of Israeli navy restrictions.

Here are some of the latest pictures coming in from Italy as a wave of spontaneous protests erupted after Israeli navy forces intercepted the aid flotilla in the Mediterranean.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is the latest sea-borne attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and had hoped to arrive in Gaza on Thursday morning if it was not intercepted.

The Israeli raid marked the second time the flotilla was approached on Wednesday. Before dawn, two Israeli “warships” had encircled two of the flotilla’s boats and scrambled its communications, Reuters quoted the mission’s organisers as saying.

Last week the flotilla was attacked by drones, which dropped stun grenades and itching powder on the vessels, causing damage but no injuries. Israel did not comment on that attack but has said it will use any means to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza, arguing its naval blockade is legal as it battles Hamas in the territory.

Italy and Spain deployed naval ships to help with any rescue or humanitarian needs but stopped following the flotilla once it got within 150 nautical miles (278 km) of Gaza for safety reasons. Turkish drones have also followed the boats.

An Irish senator is among the people detained by Israel from the Global Sumud Flotilla, Sinn Fein said.

The party said Chris Andrews had been onboard a boat called the Spectre, which was intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Egypt, PA Media reported.

Irish foreign minister Simon Harris earlier expressed concern at reports around the flotilla, saying on X that he was “keeping in close contact with my officials who are working on the ground and have also spoken with EU counterparts” on the flotilla.

Harris’s post said:

Tonight’s reports are very concerning. This is a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe.

Ireland expects international law to be upheld and all those on board the flotilla to be treated in strict accordance with it.

Sinn Fein said in a statement that Andrews – speaking earlier – emphasised the flotilla was a “purely humanitarian and non-violent mission carrying food and aid to a starving population”.

“The Irish government and the Department of Foreign Affairs urgently need to act to ensure that my fellow Irish participants and I are not mistreated while in Israeli captivity,” Andrews said.

The Spanish government has said it is closely monitoring the situation around the Global Sumud Flotilla and that Spain “demands that the physical integrity and rights of Spanish citizens be respected”.

A statement from the Spanish foreign ministry also said a permanent monitoring unit has been created and that foreign minister José Manuel Albares was “in contact and coordination with his counterparts in countries with nationals on the flotilla”.

Contact is also ongoing with the Israeli authorities and the European Union delegation in Tel Aviv to ensure diplomatic and consular protection.

The statement said the flotilla was “a peaceful and humanitarian civil society initiative” and that the Spanish foreign ministry was “fully mobilised to provide all diplomatic and consular protection to our citizens”.

• This is Adam Fulton picking up our live coverage. Keep with us for all the latest

A former high-ranking UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office official said in a post on X that Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is “plainly illegal.”

Craig Murray, who served as the British ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2002 to 2004, said that Israel did not have proper jurisdiction to intercept and detain members of the flotilla.

Murray also provides further legal analysis, claiming that Israel’s actions are considered to be a genocide of the Palestinian people, and that Israel’s blockade “is plainly a part of the machinery of such genocide.”

Murray also says that, due to the vessels being on international waters, Israel directly attacked the nations that had deployed the boats. “The Metropolitan Police and DPP have an obligation to investigate and act over the abduction of persons from UK flagged vessels on the High Seas,” Murray writes.

Following the interception of vessels from the Gaza flotilla, thousands of people have taken to the streets of Rome, with large crowds gathering outside Palazzo Chigi, the seat of the Italian government.

Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine” and called for the resignation of prime minister Giorgia Meloni.

Protests have spread across the country: in Turin, students occupied a university building, while in Bologna thousands marched through the city centre. In Pisa and Naples, activists occupied railway tracks, bringing train traffic to a standstill.

Protesters in Berlin are mobilizing in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla, as the Israeli government continues to intercept and arrest participants.

Protesters at the Berlin Central Station chanted “Free Palestine” in front of a large group of police, videos posted to social media show.

In the past couple of years, Germany has cracked down on pro-Palestinian speech in the country. “Over the past two years, institutions and authorities have cancelled events, exhibitions and awards over statements about Palestine or Israel,” Hanno Hauenstein previously wrote for the Guardian.

A journalist and activist on one of the flotilla’s boats, Greg J Stoker, said in a video posted to X that a number of other flotilla vessels were targeted with water cannons deployed by Israeli government forces.

In the video, Stoker says that there seems to be one ship going back and forth, between the flotilla boats and the port, that may be transferring those detained by the Israeli government.

Here are some of the pictures coming in from the news wires. They show large crowds protesting against the interception of a Gaza aid flotilla intercepted off the coast of the war-torn territory:

Thousands of people have taken to the streets across Italy in a wave of spontaneous protests after Israeli navy forces boarded a flotilla attempting to bring aid to Gaza.

Hundreds chanting “let’s block everything” gathered in front of Rome’s Termini station, prompting authorities to limit access to the station and close some metro stops, while protesters in Naples and Pisa have occupied train platforms.

Other protests were sparked in Milan, Bologna, Genoa and Bari. Italian labour unions have called for a general strike in support of Palestine on Friday, with Italy’s far-right deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini threatening to impose compulsory employment measures in response. Salvini said the flotilla is “irresponsible” and that “left-wing unions are irresponsible for inciting protests”.

The Mexican Foreign Relations Ministry (SRE) is calling for the respect of the “physical integrity and security” of those participating on the flotilla.

According to the ministry, there are seven Mexican citizens forming part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is attempting to arrive in Gaza to provide humanitarian support. The flotilla is actively being intercepted by Israeli forces.

The purpose of the activists “is none other than to offer humanitarian help. They are people in solidarity, peaceful and committed to peace, without links to violent groups,” the Mexican SRE said.

The SRE then called for “respect to international law, international humanitarian rights and international human rights.”

Some boats from the Gaza flotilla are reported by witnesses to still be moving forward, as Israeli naval vessels attempt to block their passage using water cannon to intimidate the crews. Footage broadcast by Sky Italia shows activists on deck being hit by powerful jets of water.

Those on board said they also heard loud bangs near several of the boats, believed to be stun grenades dropped from drones.

Protests erupted in Brussels in support of the humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach Gaza. According to a post on X, protesters responding to Israel’s interception of the flotilla began marching towards the Belgian foreign ministry.

Several boats of the Gaza aid flotilla have been stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port, the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate campaigner, and her friends are “safe and healthy,” the foreign ministry said in a post on X alongside a video that appeared to show Greta Thunberg and several masked and armed Israeli military personnel.

Amnesty International UK called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to denounce Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

“Reports that Israeli forces have intercepted the Gaza flotilla marks yet another shameful chapter in the brutal and merciless enforcement of Israel’s illegal and immoral 18-year blockade of Gaza and is an attack on international law and basic humanity,” said Kerry Moscogiuri, Amnesty International UK’s director of communications. “Keir Starmer has a serious role to play. With British citizens and British-flagged ships involved, he must not revert to silence as usual.”

Moscogiuri then called on Starmer to “immediately condemn this interception, demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those on board, including any British nationals, and insist that Israel ends its unlawful blockade and allows unrestricted humanitarian access to occupied Gaza. Anything less risks complicity in Israel’s grave violations of Palestinians’ rights.”

Social media posts say that the Sirius-Haifa boat, forming part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted by the Israeli military.

Alex Colston, an editor for Drop Site News who had been reporting on the flotilla during the course of the trip, was on that boat, the outlet says. According to Drop Site News, “contact with Colston has been lost.”

The outlet notes that as part of security protocols, Colston and other participants in the flotilla were instructed to “throw their phones overboard before interception” by Israeli forces.

“Things are moving quickly,” Colston posted on X earlier this afternoon. “The Israeli naval blockade has been confirmed, but it’s unclear when exactly we will cross paths with it.”

A number of camera feeds that were live-streaming the Global Sumud Flotilla went offline, according to a post on the flotilla’s Instagram page, as Israel begins to intercept the boats headed to Gaza.

“We are actively working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board,” the post says.

Israeli forces have begun to intercept the flotilla that had embarked on the humanitarian mission to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

Other live-stream camera feeds on boats forming part of the flotilla remain live.

In a pre-recorded video, posted to Mexican activist Arlín Medrano’s X account, the activist said that if viewers were watching the video, it means she was “intercepted in international waters, illegally, by the Israeli occupation and taken without our consent, to Israeli territory.”

Medrano is one of dozens of activists onboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, attempting to reach Gaza to supply Palestinians with humanitarian aid.

She called on Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum and her cabinet to make sure she is returned safe from Israeli custody.

A number of activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla have posted on social media videos saying they have been captured by Israeli forces.

“If you’re watching this video, it means that I have been violently intercepted by Israeli authorities against my will,” said the American activist David Adler, co-general coordinator of Progressive International, in a pre-recorded video posted by the group’s X account. Adler then called on political parties, labor unions and social movements within the group’s network to mobilize against Israel’s war on Gaza.

Similarly, in a separate video posted on Kieran Andrieu’s X account, the reporter with Novara Media said that if viewers were watching the video, “it means I have been kidnapped by Israel.”

Activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla said Israeli warships surrounded several of its boats on Wednesday and that the interception of the main vessels was under way, according to AFP.

“The warships are moving in to intercept the flotilla – only 81 nautical miles remain to Gaza,” said the Maghreb contingent of the Global Sumud Flotilla in a statement.

French politician Marie Mesmeur and Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan also reported that their boats were being intercepted.

Earlier, Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar called the flotilla a provocation and warned them to stop and transfer their aid through other channels into Gaza. “It is not too late,” he posted on X.

Israel’s government has accused some of the flotilla members of being linked to Hamas, while providing little evidence to support the claim. Activists have strongly rejected the accusations and said Israel was trying to justify potential attacks on them.

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

“We must remember it is a humanitarian mission that wouldn’t be taking place if the Israeli government had allowed for the entry of aid,” Pedro Sánchez told reporters on Wednesday. Spaniards taking part would benefit from full diplomatic protection, he added. “They present no threat nor danger to Israel,” he said.