Israel detains 500 activists and seizes flotilla boats, but one Polish yacht sails for Gaza
Israel’s navy has dismantled almost the entire humanitarian flotilla that set out to break its blockade of Gaza, arresting hundreds of activists from dozens of boats. Yet one lone yacht, the Marinette, continues its course towards the besieged Palestinian enclave.
The Global Sumud Flotilla originally comprised 44 vessels, carrying some 500 passengers from more than 40 countries. By Friday morning, Israeli forces had intercepted and seized almost all of them. The Polish-flagged Marinette, carrying six people, remains the only operational vessel still en route.
Speaking to flotilla organisers in a video call on Thursday, the boat’s Australian captain, who gave his name as Cameron, said the yacht had fallen behind the main group due to engine issues. “We have a bunch of very tough Turks onboard … a lady from Oman and myself, and we’re just going to continue in the direction,” he explained.
A livestream of the Marinette showed the crew steering calmly into the Mediterranean sunrise, their geo-tracker placing them about 43 nautical miles — roughly 80km — from Gaza’s territorial waters.
Israel has already warned the crew that they will not be permitted to enter the enclave. “Its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented,” Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Since Wednesday, Israeli naval forces have stopped dozens of flotilla vessels and detained participants, including high-profile figures such as activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and European Parliament member Rima Hassan. The detained activists are being held in Israel before deportation.
Israel argues the activists were attempting to “breach a lawful naval blockade” of Gaza. Critics, however, insist the blockade itself contravenes international law and that the flotilla carried non-violent humanitarian supplies.
The operation has triggered global condemnation. Demonstrations have taken place in cities across Europe and Latin America, while several governments have formally protested. Colombian President Gustavo Petro went further, announcing the expulsion of Israeli diplomats and the cancellation of Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel, calling the flotilla raid a “new international crime.”
European governments including Germany, France, the UK, Spain, Greece, and Ireland urged Israel to respect the rights of the seized crew members. The UN has yet to issue a formal statement, but Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur for Palestine, denounced the interceptions as “illegal abductions.” She wrote on social media: “My thoughts are with the people of Gaza, trapped in Israel’s killing fields.”
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), representing over 16 million workers worldwide, condemned Israel’s actions. “Attacking or seizing nonviolent, humanitarian vessels in international waters is illegal under international law,” said ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton. “States cannot pick and choose when to respect international law. The seas must not be turned into a theatre of war.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla has been the largest naval aid mission yet to attempt entry to Gaza. Organisers intended the mission to both deliver humanitarian aid and draw attention to the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave, where shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies have deepened during Israel’s military campaign.
Now, as hundreds of activists face deportation, the fate of the Marinette and its six-person crew hangs in the balance. Its course towards Gaza, against warnings and overwhelming odds, has become a symbol of the defiance and global attention this flotilla has stirred.