Israel intercepts new aid vessels attempting to break Gaza siege
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition says that nine vessels carrying about 150 activists from about 30 countries were stopped earlier today about 220 kilometres (136 miles) off the Gaza coast.
The group said in a post on X that Israeli naval forces “attacked and illegally intercepted” the ships carrying aid to the besieged enclave.
Confirming the interception, Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote on X that another “futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing”.
“The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly,” the ministry added.
The latest attempt by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition comes a week after Israeli forces stopped 45 aid vessels from reaching Gaza and detained more than 450 activists, including politicians and activists, and Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, from the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Footage from the Israeli Occupation Forces assault on #Conscience, shortly before dawn. In international waters, close to Palestinian territorial waters. Another act of state piracy by the rogue, lawless Israeli occupation.https://t.co/sabzfFUEap
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) October 8, 2025
Turkiye accuses Israel of piracy over flotilla interception near Gaza
Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Israel’s interception of a new Gaza-bound aid flotilla as an “act of piracy committed by the genocidal Netanyahu government”.
“This attack on civilian activists, among whom were Turkish citizens and parliamentarians, has gravely violated international law,” the statement said. “By targeting all efforts that defend humanitarian values and use peaceful methods through the use of violence, Israel is escalating tensions in the region and damaging efforts for lasting peace.”
Mathilde Panot, a leading figure in the France Unbowed party, has also said three French parliamentarians were on board the flotilla, calling the Israeli move against it illegal.
Crew of Conscience, a Gaza-bound vessel, sit on board the boat as they are intercepted by Israeli security forces, in this screengrab obtained from a video
