Israeli forces have intercepted the majority of the 50 activist flotilla vessels en route to Gaza, detaining numerous protesters aiming to provide assistance to the region.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which featured climate activist Greta Thunberg, was halted, with Israel’s Foreign Ministry announcing the conclusion of the operation. Israeli airstrikes and gunfire resulted in the death of at least 41 Palestinians in Gaza, while Hamas deliberated its response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the longstanding conflict.
The proposal demands that Hamas release all 48 captives, surrender control, and disarm in exchange for the freedom of numerous Palestinian detainees and cessation of hostilities. Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the proposal, it does not outline a path to Palestinian statehood.
The flotilla, consisting of over 40 boats and nearly 450 activists, carried a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Their primary objective was to challenge Israel’s blockade and halt the alleged genocide against Palestinians.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the flotilla as a “provocation,” noting that other nations had offered to deliver the aid onboard. Flotilla organizers reported that approximately 39 boats were intercepted during an Israeli operation.
Israeli authorities later confirmed that only one boat remained at large and would be intercepted. The conflict was triggered by a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the death of 1,200 individuals and abduction of 251 others.
Currently, 48 hostages are still held in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive. The subsequent Israeli offensive has claimed the lives of over 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israeli forces apprehended numerous individuals, including Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, and European Parliament member Rima Hassan, from the flotilla. Approximately 400,000 Palestinians have fled famine-stricken Gaza City since Israel initiated a major offensive there last month.
Smoke was observed in northern Gaza on Thursday morning, prompting residents to evacuate southwards.