Israel halts aid flotilla to Gaza, intercepting mission ships in international waters

The Israeli military intercepted and shut down the Global Sumud Flotilla — the mission attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in an attempt to break the blockade imposed on the Strip, on which EL PAÍS was aboard — on Wednesday. Late in the afternoon, in less than two hours, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took control of the flotilla’s three main ships, carrying a total of 90 passengers: Alma, which contained the entire mission’s leadership (including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, whose arrest the Israeli government subsequently shared images of), Sirius, which carried former mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau, and Adara, which comprised approximately 25 people. After 11:00 p.m. CET, three more ships were intercepted in what the organization described as an “active aggression.” “Florida was deliberately rammed into the sea. Yulara, Meteque and others were attacked with water cannons,” the mission reoprted on its X account. The Captain Nikos, which carried a reporter from this newspaper, was also detained.

The Israeli military halted the mission after a month-long voyage, when the flotilla reported it was 70 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza.

As has happened on previous occasions, the incident occurred in international waters, as the flotilla approached the coast of the Palestinian enclave, a circumstance that violates international law. The Israeli operation ended the mission before it reached the shores of the Strip. Without confirming the interception, the IDF issued a statement claiming to have demanded that the flotilla members change course.

The Italian government confirmed the boarding. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that all the vessels had been surrounded by Israeli ships at sea off Gaza and that their occupants will be transferred to Israel for subsequent deportation. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported late Wednesday that it was in talks with the embassy in Tel Aviv to “take a specific interest in Spanish citizens and guarantee all diplomatic and consular protection.” Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares is in contact with the diplomatic services of countries with citizens in the flotilla, “especially Ireland and Turkey,” according to sources from that department.

530 crew members

The Global Sumud Flotilla consisted of 44 ships with 530 crew members on board at the time of the Israeli intervention. Late Wednesday night, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had “detained several ships from the flotilla” and noted that the operation had been “safe” and that the passengers were being transferred to an Israeli port.

The Captain Nikos, on which EL PAÍS was traveling, was among the vessels seized. The Israeli government, which has repeatedly described the mission as the “Hamas-Sumud flotilla,” argues that they were heading toward a conflict zone.

On Wednesday morning, when most of the ships were still some 115 nautical miles from Gaza, in the “high-risk interception zone,” the members detected an “increase in drone activity” and the implementation of the first acts of intimidation by the Israeli Navy.

Following these actions, and while continuing to advance toward the coast of Gaza, everyone on board the vessels was on alert, aware of the imminent Israeli action. The first to be intercepted was the Alma, a British-flagged vessel carrying the steering committee and Thunberg. After being surrounded by Israeli vessels, communications were lost. Next came the Sirius, the vessel carrying Ada Colau, and then the Adara.

By that time, all protocols had been activated. First, the crew members on the ships threw all electronic devices into the sea. The goal was to prevent Israeli authorities from obtaining information about everyone involved in the mission, both on board and on land, so as not to expose them to possible reprisals. They also sought to avoid revealing the identity of the captain or coordinator. All objects that could be used for violence, such as kitchen knives, fishhooks, tools, or other blunt objects, were also thrown overboard.

When the military approached the ships, the entire crews donned life jackets, went to the most spacious part of their vessels, and waited to be boarded with their hands raised and their passports in their pockets. To demonstrate the nonviolent nature of the mission, direct interaction or eye contact with the soldiers was not permitted. Everyone had been told to obey orders. If a person was going to be isolated, crew members were advised to grab them by the legs, but always with their hands visible and with no sudden movements.

Because the interception took place in international waters, far from the Gaza coast, it was expected that several hours would pass before the vessels reached land. If the mission members remained on the ships they were traveling on, it was estimated that it would take at least 20 hours to arrive on land. If they were transferred to an Israeli military vessel, that time would have been reduced.

The treatment of the flotilla participants is currently unknown. On previous missions, such as the Madleen in June, the 12 people on board were forced to spend the night on deck while the military searched the ship. When day broke, they were allowed inside the vessel. The organization recommended against taking or eating any food offered by the soldiers.

Once the participants arrive in port, different scenarios will open up for the detainees. If Israel follows the same approach as the previous flotilla intervention in June, after reaching land, the detainees will be directed to an immigration police station, accused of attempting to enter the country illegally. There, the flotilla’s legal team will be waiting for them, already prepared to act and with the representation permits pre-signed by the participants. Some citizens, such as those from Spain, will also have consular support, while others, such as those from the United Kingdom and the United States, have been warned that they will not receive assistance for not having followed the recommendation to leave the mission earlier.

Although the Israeli military may attempt to begin interrogations before the legal team arrives, the organization recommends not saying a word until the lawyers are present. Flotilla participants will then be offered various documents to sign. The first is the immediate deportation document. Signing this acknowledges the intent to enter Israel illegally, which carries with it a ban on entry for up to 100 years. It also implies that there will be no trial and that the signatory will be deported within a maximum of 72 hours.

Failure to sign any of the above documents would result in the person being considered an illegal immigrant, renouncing the possibility of immediate deportation. They would then be taken to prison and subsequently tried. However, they would then be exposed to worse treatment and their detention could be extended up to five days.

Finally, there are citizens who have already participated in previous flotillas and who would be banned from entering Israel. These cases — there are several in the mission, such as French MEP Rima Hassan, Thunberg, and one of the flotilla leaders, Thiago Ávila — do not have the option of signing an immediate deportation order. These individuals are highly likely to be taken directly to prison for an undetermined number of days. On previous occasions, having gone on a hunger strike has accelerated their deportation, but Israeli law provides for the force-feeding of prisoners if their lives are deemed to be in danger.

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