Israel has killed 65 Palestinians in Gaza since dawn

Medical sources at hospitals across the coastal enclave say at least 65 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since dawn.

Among the victims, 47 were killed in Gaza City.

Red Cross suspends Gaza City operations amid intensifying Israeli assault

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it has been forced to suspend operations at its Gaza City office and relocate staff to southern Gaza because of the intensification of Israeli military operations.

In a statement, the ICRC said the move was necessary to “ensure staff safety and operational continuity” but warned that tens of thousands of people remaining in Gaza City are enduring “harrowing humanitarian conditions” and are in desperate need of more assistance.

“Civilians are being killed, forcibly displaced and made to endure dire conditions,” the ICRC said, adding that first responders from the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Civil Defence have been “relentlessly” trying to provide relief but face severe restrictions on movement.

The organisation said it will continue supporting civilians from its offices in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and Rafah in the south, where its field hospital is described as a “lifeline” for wounded patients.

“Lives can still be saved today. A cessation of hostilities is imperative and urgent,” the ICRC said.

Displaced Palestinians flee Gaza City after strikes


_{Journalists report from the scene of an Israeli strike that hit a tent used by displaced Palestinians inside the vicinity of the Shuhada al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip}

Palestinians who remain in Gaza City will be treated as ‘terrorists’: Israeli defence minister

Israel Katz has said Palestinians who remain in Gaza City will be considered “terrorists and supporters of terror” unless they leave the area.

Legal experts have previously warned that such statements amount to collective punishment, which is prohibited under international law.

Defence Minister Israel Katz made the comments on X as he announced Israeli forces had completed the capture of the Netzarim Corridor, which divides the enclave into north and south.

“This will tighten the siege around Gaza City, and anyone leaving it south will be forced to pass through [Israeli military] checkpoints,” Katz wrote, calling it a “last chance” for civilians to move south.

He added that those who remain in Gaza City would face Israeli military operations “at full strength,” as the army continues its campaign to return captives and disarm Hamas.

Israeli defence minister Gaza City threat shows ‘genocidal intent’

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has condemned statements by Israel’s defence minister that all Palestinians who remain in Gaza City will be considered “terrorists and terror supporters”.

Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR’s national deputy director, said the comments amounted to a threat of extermination and a violation of international law.

“We strongly condemn the Israeli defense minister’s declaration that the cowardly war criminals of his regime will treat everyone unable or unwilling to leave their homes in Gaza City as a ‘terrorist,’” Mitchell said in a statement.

“Threatening to kill every man, woman and child who remains in Gaza City constitutes a clear violation of international law and another chilling indication of genocidal intent. The world must not stand by in silence.”

Mitchell called on the US government to immediately condemn the remarks and end military aid to Israel. “Our government must immediately and unequivocally condemn this clear statement to commit genocide and take action to prevent further Israeli crimes against humanity,” he said.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz made the remarks earlier today, saying those who remain in Gaza will be considered “terrorists and terror supporters”.

Palestinian rights groups condemn US ‘ultimatum’ on Gaza ceasefire

A coalition of Palestinian human rights organisations has condemned an “ultimatum” issued by the United States, saying it conditions the suspension of Israel’s assault on Gaza on terms that “entrench and normalise” occupation.

In a statement, the Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council (PHROC) called the 20-point plan from the Trump administration “a grave violation of international law and an outright assault on the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people”.

“While PHROC welcomes all genuine efforts to end the genocide in Gaza, the US plan does not aim to end Israel’s settler colonial apartheid regime and unlawful occupation but rather to entrench and normalize it,” the statement said.

The group accused Washington of “rewarding Israel’s systematic crimes of apartheid, persecution, and genocide” and condemned the silence over Palestinian detainees.

PHROC urged states to reject the plan as “a manifest breach” of Palestinians’ right to self-determination, insisting that any settlement must dismantle Israel’s occupation and apartheid system.

Protests erupt across Italy after Israel intercepts flotilla ships

Protests have sprang up in a number of Italian cities after reports that the flotilla vessels had been intercepted by military personnel.

In the southern city of Naples, demonstrators got into the main railway station and halted train traffic, while police surrounded the Termini railway station in Rome after protesters gathered close to entrances.

Meanwhile, Italian unions have called for a strike to protest the treatment of the flotilla.

“The aggression against civilian ships that were carrying Italian citizens is an extremely serious matter,” the CGIL union said, calling the strike which other smaller unions said they would join.

The announcement comes after a previous general strike in support of Gaza and the GSF called by the grassroots Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) on September 22.

In the northwestern city of Genoa, the USB announced that it intended to block the port and called on all protesters to gather at 10 p.m. (2000 GMT) at one of the main entrances.

Italy’s largest union calls general strike for Friday in support of Gaza aid flotilla

Italy’s largest union has called a general strike for Friday in protest at the treatment of a flotilla seeking to bring aid to Gaza, it said on Wednesday.

Protests were also being held in a number of Italian cities late on Wednesday, including in Naples, where demonstrators halted train traffic at the main station after reports that some 20 unidentified vessels were seen approaching the international flotilla.

Former UK Labour Party leader condemns Israeli interception of Gaza flotilla

Jeremy Corbyn has condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, calling it “a flagrant breach of international law”.

In a statement posted on X, the Independent MP said: “Israel has illegally intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla. This disgraceful assault is a flagrant breach of international law.

“It is an affront to our common human decency. And it is a further denigration of the Palestinian people, who are being starved to death by Israel.”

He criticised the UK government for ignoring warnings that the flotilla would be targeted. “Once again, we call on the government to defend international law, impose widespread sanctions and stop arming Israel,” he wrote.

Corbyn added that “history will side with the flotilla – and their bravery will only inspire more people to join our global movement for Palestine”.

Journalist vs pro-Israel politicians

The Labour Party banned our journalists from its annual conference so we stood outside asking ministers and MPs why the government won't call Gaza a genocide. Plus, we asked MPs why they support the Labour Friends of Israel lobby group.

Owen Jones Banned From Labour Conference

Live: Israel intercepts Global Sumud Flotilla off Gaza coast

Mediterranean Sea – The Global Sumud Flotilla has entered high-alert status as it approaches within 10 nautical miles of the designated high-risk zone off Gaza’s coast. Organisers say all boats are maintaining contact and observing heightened security measures.

‘This is kidnapping’: Freedom Flotilla Coalition slams Israel’s interception of aid ships

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which has tried to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza itself seven times, has accused Israel of attacking the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and abducting those on board.

In a statement on X, the group said: “People of conscience have been abducted. The flotilla broke no laws. What is illegal is Israel’s genocide, Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, and Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon.”

The coalition described the incident as “piracy” and “kidnapping”, saying: “Unarmed people of conscience, abducted in international waters. This is piracy. This is kidnapping. The flotilla did not break any laws.

“What is unlawful is: genocide, the deadly blockade of Gaza, the use of starvation as a weapon of war, and the piracy of civilian vessels and abduction of all those on board.”

The statement urged supporters to pressure governments to act, writing: “Demand your government cut ties with Israel.”

Greta Thunberg among activists taken by Israeli military after flotilla interception

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been taken by Israeli forces after the interception of vessels from the Gaza aid flotilla.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on X that “several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,” adding: “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”

The ministry also shared a video showing Thunberg being escorted away. Israel has provided no substantive evidence to support the claim the flotilla is linked to Hamas.

Activists have called the interception illegal and “piracy”.

Freedom Flotillas: A history of attempts to break Israel’s siege of Gaza

Several Freedom Flotilla vessels since 2008 have attempted to break the blockade of Gaza, which was imposed by Israel since 2007, maintaining strict control over Gaza’s airspace and territorial waters, while restricting the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza.

Here is a list of attempts by different flotillas over the past 18 years to break the siege.

Turkiye condemns flotilla interception, calls it terrorist act

Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Israel’s naval interception of the Sumud Flotilla, describing it as a “terrorist” act.

Earlier this week, flight data showed that Turkiye – alongside Spain, Italy and Greece – was monitoring the flotilla.

Tracking websites indicated that three long-endurance drones from Corlu airbase had circled over the ships for three days.

Israeli navy spraying water on vessels

Our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic are reporting that the Israeli navy is spraying large amounts of water on the ships of the Sumud Flotilla.

As we have been reporting, this comes after Israeli forces intercepted a number of the flotilla’s vessels.

At least six Gaza aid flotilla boats intercepted

According to Israeli media, including Channel 13, six boats have been intercepted so far, among them the vessel Alma. Reports suggest more interceptions are expected.

Israeli soldiers have boarded the ships and detained many of the activists on board. Those detained would normally go through a legal process, but Israel is currently under near-total shutdown because of the Yom Kippur holiday.

That means courts and prisons are not functioning, creating a limbo for the activists if they are detained.

Ironically, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has continued operating during the holiday, issuing statements on the flotilla.

Israel says flotilla activists will be deported after Yom Kippur

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has said that activists on board the Gaza aid flotilla will be deported once the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur concludes on Thursday.

“We will not allow any PR stunt approaching an active war zone to violate our sovereignty. Those who tried to enter Israeli territory illegally will be deported immediately after Yom Kippur in Israel,” Danon said in a statement.

He added that Israel has “repeatedly offered ways to peacefully deliver aid to Gaza”, but claimed the flotilla was “not interested in aid – only provocation”.

Israel continues to block most aid from entering Gaza, where the UN has warned of man-made famine and widespread hunger caused by the siege of the enclave. More than 350 people have died due to starvation in Gaza.

Gaza is not Israeli territory...

Protests erupt after interception of flotilla vessels

Protests have broken out across several major world cities, including Athens, Rome, Berlin, Brussels and Tunis.

_{Pro-Palestinian activists wave Palestinian flags as they protest to condemn the interception of the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla}

_{Pro-Palestine activists protest to condemn the interception of the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens, Greece}

_{Pro-Palestine demonstrators take part in a protest to condemn the interception of the vessels in Rome, Italy}

_{Pro-Palestine demonstrators in Istanbul take part in a protest following the interception of the Sumud Flotilla}

Israeli forces using ‘active aggression’ on fleet: Gaza flotilla organisers

The organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla say that Israeli navy forces are using “active aggression” on their fleet trying to deliver aid to Gaza.

“Florida vessel has been deliberately rammed at sea. Yulara, Meteque and others have been targeted with water cannons,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a post on Telegram.

All passengers on board are unharmed, it added.

LIVE: Pro-Palestinian Protest Erupts in Italy Over Intercepted Sumud Flotilla | AC1N

LIVE: Protest Erupts Outside Israeli Consulate in Istanbul Over Gaza Flotilla Interception | AC1N

LIVE La Global Sumud Flotilla in navigazione verso Gaza: diretta video

Irish senator ‘illegally detained’ on board Gaza flotilla, Sinn Fein says

Sinn Fein Senator Chris Andrews has been “illegally detained” by Israeli forces while on board the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, Irish political party Sinn Fein has said.

It called on the Irish government to “act now” and “demand the immediate and safe release of Senator Chris Andrews and all Irish citizens”.

“The flotilla is a peaceful humanitarian mission carrying food and aid to Gaza. This violent interception is a blatant violation of international law,” it added.

There are a total of 22 Irish citizens on board boats carrying aid towards Gaza, coordinators of the Global Sumud Flotilla have said.

Irish President Michael D Higgins has reportedly said international law has been breached by Israel in relation to the interception of the vessels.

“In recent weeks, there was a near consensus among members of the United Nations that a Palestinian State should be recognised as an essential building block for peace in the region,” he said, according to Irish broadcaster RTE.

“We might well ask where stands this commitment now if a flotilla involving more than 40 boats and more than 500 people from the international community seeking to bring humanitarian aid – water, medicines and food to those who are in desperate need – is being prevented from achieving that humanitarian objective,” he added.

Protesters shut down Berlin train station

Our Al Jazeera Arabic colleagues are reporting that demonstrators closed the central train station in the German capital, Berlin, in protest against the attack on the flotilla vessels.

Protests have erupted in several major cities around the world, including Athens, Rome, Istanbul, and Tunis.

Greta Thunberg, others send SOS, say they’ve been kidnapped from Sumud Flotilla

A number of peace activists including Greta Thunberg on board Global Sumud Flotilla say they’ve been kidnapped after their boats were attacked in a bid to stop them from entering Gaza with aid materials. Rifat Jawaid explains why this is another violation of international law. UK MP Jeremy Corbyn too has issued a statement asking the Labour government to act urgently to protect international law.

Ireland says Israel’s seizure of flotilla vessels ‘very concerning’

Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris has said Dublin is closely monitoring the situation following Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

In a post on X, Harris called the reports “very concerning”, describing the flotilla as “a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe”. The minister said he was in close contact with officials on the ground and had spoken with EU counterparts.

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs said it is in direct contact with its representative and stressed that “the safety of citizens remains our priority”.

“Our focus now is on assisting citizens immediately impacted and their families. This will be the priority for our team over the coming hours,” the ministry said, adding that Ireland’s embassy in Tel Aviv is in contact with relevant authorities alongside other EU member states.

We will not sign any papers presented by the Israeli authorities: GSF

A  spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla has spoken to Al Jazeera Arabic.

Here are the translated comments:

Flotilla group says Israeli military ‘rammed’ aid ship

The organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla say the Israeli navy has used “active aggression” against vessels sailing towards Gaza, including ramming one of the boats.

In a statement on X, the group said the Florida vessel had been “deliberately rammed at sea”, while other ships, including the Yulara and Meteque, were targeted with water cannon.

The flotilla described the incident as “illegal attacks” carried out in international waters.

The convoy, carrying international activists and humanitarian aid, set sail to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which the International Court of Justice has ruled unlawful.