Above photo: AA.
Israel has boarded nearly all of the flotilla’s 47 boats.
And has detained hundreds of activists.
Hamas slammed the Israeli military’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is carrying aid for Gaza, in a statement released on 2 October.
The statement called the interception “a treacherous attack and a crime of piracy and maritime terrorism against civilians.”
“It is a barbaric assault targeting international solidarity activists who were on an urgent humanitarian mission to deliver emergency aid to our besieged people in the Gaza Strip, who have been subjected for two years to genocide and systematic starvation,” Hamas added.
It also saluted “the courage of the free activists” and called on the UN and international community to hold Israel “accountable.”
Israeli naval forces moved to intercept the flotilla overnight as the boats were approaching the besieged strip.
Around 40 of the flotilla’s 47 boats have been boarded by Israeli forces so far. Hundreds of activists have been detained, including Swedish activist Greta Thunburg – who was detained and deported during the interception of a previous aid boat earlier this year. “The passengers are safe and in good health,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Thursday morning.
At least four boats are stuck at sea due to technical issues. Israel will either detain the activists on board or tow the boats to shore.
Irish activist Tadhg Hickey is among those who sailed to Gaza on the Sumud Flotilla, as well as French politician Marie Mesmeur and French-Palestinian European Parliament member Rima Hassan, who has also previously been detained for attempting to break the siege.
Spain announced on 2 October that it summoned its Israeli envoy in response to the interception, adding that 65 Spanish citizens were aboard the flotilla.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry called the interception “an act of terrorism that constitutes the most serious violation of international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians.”
“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 UK government said.
The Global Sumud Flotilla departed from Spain one month ago. As it got closer to Gaza on 1 October, Israeli warships harassed the flotilla in a bid to force it to change course. Last month, several of the flotilla’s boats were subjected to drone attacks.
On 30 September, Tel Aviv accused the Global Sumud Flotilla of having ties to Hamas.
In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry claimed troops found Hamas documents in Gaza which show a “direct link between the flotilla leaders and the Hamas terrorist organization.”
Protests erupt worldwide against Israeli attack on Global Sumud Flotilla
Strikes, blockades, and rallies spread across multiple continents as unions, students, and activists voiced solidarity with the aid fleet.
Protests erupted across cities worldwide on the night of 1 October after Israel intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, with thousands taking to the streets to denounce the raid, demand the release of detained activists, and call for an end to the siege on the enclave.
Demonstrations broke out in Greece, Spain, Sweden, and Belgium, as large rallies took place in Italy, where the country’s largest trade unions announced a general strike for 3 October.
Among the largest gatherings overnight, tens of thousands marched through Rome in support of the Sumud Freedom Flotilla.
Hundreds more blocked traffic at Piazza dei Cinquecento, while in Milan, large crowds shut down train stations, blocking rail traffic as part of nationwide demonstrations.
Organizers estimated around 1,000 people would march toward Piazza Barberini. Italy’s unions USB and CGIL confirmed a nationwide strike call, while dock workers carried out their pledge to blockade in response to the flotilla’s interception.
Protests for the Sumud Flotilla are taking place across Italy. In Bologna, clashes erupted in the train station and services were disrupted. Tracks were also occupied in Florence, Trento, and Trieste. At the Colosseum in Rome, there are thousands of demonstrators. pic.twitter.com/yYrsCyQjGz
— Paolo Mossetti (@paolomossetti) October 2, 2025
Hundreds also gathered outside the US consulate in Istanbul, chanting slogans, praying for Palestinians, and denouncing what they called genocide.
🚨 İstanbul’da binlerce kişi, ABD Konsolosluğu önünde Sumud Filosu’na yapılan baskını protesto ediyor.pic.twitter.com/r7r19Ormn6
— Conflict (@ConflictTR) October 1, 2025
In Berlin, protesters gathered at Central Station, and in Brussels, marchers moved from Place de la Bourse to the Belgian Foreign Ministry.
In London, thousands marched to the prime minister’s residence, chanting against him. In Germany, demonstrators briefly shut down the main train station.
The Tunisian capital also saw a mass demonstration, while Mauritania’s Nouakchott hosted protests denouncing the flotilla raid.
A snap protest was held outside Sydney Town Hall in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla, with demonstrators voicing solidarity and chanting “From the river to the sea,” which echoed through the rally.
Demonstrators in Sydney, Australia took to the streets calling for the immediate release of all Global Sumud Flotilla members, who were abducted by Israeli occupation forces after the aid mission to Gaza was intercepted in international waters. pic.twitter.com/ZT5kgxTCQb
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) October 2, 2025
Latin American cities witnessed parallel mobilizations. Local media in Buenos Aires said hundreds demonstrated against what they called an “assault by the Israeli occupation forces” and demanded an end to the genocide in Gaza.
In Mexico City, Reuters captured images of marchers outside the Foreign Ministry, with demonstrators demanding the release of seven Mexican nationals detained in the flotilla raid.
Activists Arlin Medrano and Sol Gonzalez confirmed in a video that their ship had been intercepted in international waters, calling it an illegal act.
David Pena, the Mexican delegation’s legal representative, told protesters Israel planned to charge them with trespassing and deport them.
In Colombia, protesters gathered outside the headquarters of the National Business Association (ANDI) after the Global Movement to Gaza accused it of ties to Israel’s economic mission – an allegation the group denied in a statement.
Demonstrations also swept Bogota, Montevideo, and several Argentine cities, with protesters in Uruguay’s capital calling for the imprisonment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Out of 44 vessels that departed with the Global Sumud Flotilla, only four are still marked as ‘sailing’ as of 12:15 pm Thursday, according to live tracking data on the flotilla’s website.
One vessel appeared to have reached Gaza’s waters before communications were lost.
Organizers said one of the boats intercepted was rammed by an Israeli naval vessel.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry labeled the mission on its official X account as the “Hamas Flotilla.”
