Israel has intercepted a convoy of aid ships bound for Gaza in international waters near Greece, prompting fierce condemnation from organisers who branded the move “piracy” and an escalation of Israeli overreach. The vessels, part of a second Global Sumud flotilla attempting to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, had departed Barcelona on 12 April carrying humanitarian supplies.
Organisers said Israeli forces seized the ships late on Wednesday off the Peloponnese peninsula, hundreds of miles from Gaza. In a sharply worded statement, the group accused Israel of unlawfully detaining civilians on the high seas and extending its authority far beyond its borders.
“This is the unlawful seizure of human beings on the open sea,” it said, adding that no state had the right to police international waters. Israel rejected the accusations, with its foreign ministry describing the flotilla organisers as “professional provocateurs” and insisting the interception was carried out in line with international law to prevent a breach of what it called a lawful blockade.
Footage released by organisers appeared to show Israeli soldiers boarding one of the vessels, with crew members in life jackets raising their hands before being transferred to Israeli ships. Greek authorities confirmed that dozens of vessels had been sailing roughly 50 nautical miles off the Peloponnese towards Crete, monitored by both Israeli warships and the Greek coastguard.
Athens said it had not been informed of the interception, which occurred outside its jurisdiction, though it confirmed that crew from several boats were safe. Turkey condemned the operation as a clear violation of international law and warned it would take steps in response.
The incident echoes previous attempts to break the Gaza blockade. Last October, Israeli forces halted a similar flotilla and detained hundreds of activists, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg. Israel maintains it does not restrict humanitarian supplies to Gaza’s population of around two million people.
However, Palestinian officials and aid organisations say deliveries remain insufficient, despite commitments under a ceasefire agreement reached last year.