2025-10-02T09:59:26+00:00
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Shafaq News – Gaza
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg on Thursday accused
Israeli forces of abducting her after the Gaza Sumud (Resilience) Flotilla—an
international civilian aid convoy—was intercepted on its way to Gaza.
“I have been taken against my will by Israeli forces,”
Thunberg declared in a video posted to Facebook, adding that the humanitarian
mission was non-violent and lawful. “Please tell my government to demand my and
the others’ immediate release.”
Israeli naval forces intercepted several vessels of
the convoy on Wednesday as they neared Gaza’s territorial waters, with footage
from organizers showing naval ships closing in before livestreams were cut.
Fourteen boats were reportedly stopped, while 23 remain at sea.
About 500 activists from 44 countries, including
Thunberg, were aboard a 45-boat fleet carrying medical supplies and food, part
of a month-long voyage designed to defy Israel’s blockade, making it the
largest civilian mission yet to challenge the siege.
Gaza has been sealed since March 2, when Israeli
forces closed all crossings and halted humanitarian aid. Hundreds of trucks
remain stalled at the border, while only limited shipments have entered—far
short of the 500 to 600 daily trucks officials say are needed to sustain the
population.
The interception triggered swift international
backlash, with Turkiye’s foreign ministry condemning the operation as “an act
of terror.” Colombian President Gustavo Petro expelled Israeli diplomats,
accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing “a new
international crime,” while Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim denounced
the action as “intimidation and coercion.”
🔴El presidente Gustavo Petro expulsa a la delegación diplomática de Israel en Colombia tras enterarse de que dos mujeres colombianas que viajan en flotilla humanitaria Global Sumud han sido retenidas por el ejército israelí https://t.co/8PDvZvLMfc pic.twitter.com/4NU4gj3gUS
— EL PAÍS América Colombia (@ElPaisAmericaCo) October 1, 2025
I condemn in the strongest terms Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. These vessels carried unarmed civilians and life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza, yet they were met with intimidation and coercion.By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown… pic.twitter.com/iOPiBTM4PA
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) October 1, 2025
Brazil urged Israel to lift restrictions on aid, while
Mexico called on Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of its nationals on
board. Pakistan blasted the detentions as “unlawful” and part of Israel’s
“ongoing pattern of aggression.”
In Europe, the UK Foreign Office voiced “very serious
concern,” confirmed contact with families of British passengers, and pressed
for a peaceful resolution. In Italy, more than 10,000 people protested the
interception, with further demonstrations planned across the UK, including one
in London’s Parliament Square.
Ireland’s Sinn Féin described the operation as
“kidnapping,” while Palestinian politician Hanan Ashrawi denounced it as “a
criminal act of piracy in international waters,” praising the activists as
“brave men and women showing real solidarity with Gaza.”
🚨BREAKING🚨Sinn Féin Senator Chris Andrews has been illegally detained by armed Israeli forces in international waters while on board the Global Sumud flotilla. The flotilla is a peaceful humanitarian mission carrying food and aid to Gaza.@chrisandrews64 pic.twitter.com/qCLIv6EtdS
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) October 1, 2025
However, Israeli officials defended the interception,
arguing the flotilla had entered a designated “war zone” and was subject to
inspection.
