Activists on board a flotilla of vessels sailing toward Gaza said late on Wednesday (October 1, 2025) that the Israeli navy had intercepted 13 of its boats as they approached the besieged Palestinian territory.
Israeli authorities said the activists on board, including Greta Thunberg, were safe and being transferred to Israel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, composed of nearly 50 boats and 500 activists, was carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Sirius, Alma and Adara boats were intercepted some 70 nautical miles (80 miles) from the coast of Gaza, according to organisers who shared live positions of the flotilla.
The group, which includes Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau and several European lawmakers, said it remained undeterred in its mission to break the Israeli blockade and bring aid to Palestinians.
Greg Stoker, an American veteran aboard the Ohwayla, one of the boats in the flotilla, said around a dozen naval vessels with their transponders off had approached it.
Communication between Alma Boat and Israeli Navy vessel pic.twitt
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