By Aveek Banerjee,News18
Copyright news18
The Israeli foreign ministry has released pictures of the passengers, including that of Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli forces while attempting to break through the blockade of the Palestinian territory to distribute aid.
Israel said the passengers are making their way to Israel, where they will be deported to their respective countries. “Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health,” it said on X.
Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health. pic.twitter.com/pzzitP5jN8
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 2, 2025
In the picture, Thunberg was seen lying down with her belongings, along with other passengers of the flotilla. The Israeli ministry had earlier said that she and her friends were “safe and healthy” after their ships were intercepted by Israeli forces.
“Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” said the ministry on X, while sharing a video of Thunberg collecting her belongings.
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The Global Sumud Flotilla, involving around 45 ships carrying over 500 politicians and activists, including Greta Thunberg, had left Spain last month, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and send urgent humanitarian aid to the territory ravaged by starvation due to Israel’s military offensive.
Over 30 Ships Intercepted
Thunberg’s ship was among those the Israeli navy intercepted after Israel warned the flotilla against entering the waters it says fall under its blockade. The organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla said they were “illegally intercepted and boarded” by Israel in international waters.
“Around 8:30 pm Gaza time (1730 GMT), several vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including the Alma, Sirius and Adara, were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli occupation forces in international waters,” the flotilla said.
“Beyond the confirmed interceptions, live streams and communications with several other vessels have been lost,” it added.
Of the roughly 45 ships, more than 30 had been intercepted or were assumed to have been intercepted by Thursday, according to the flotilla’s tracking system. Flotilla spokesman Saif Abukeshek said the vessels that had not been intercepted were determined to continue.
“They are determined. They are motivated, and they are doing everything within their hands to be able to break the siege by this early morning,” he said.
With the war in Gaza dragging on, solidarity with the Palestinians has grown globally, with activists and increasingly governments criticising Israel for its actions. Israel’s military offensive has inflicted a staggering toll in Gaza, with more than 66,000 Palestinians killed and millions on the brink of starvation.
(with inputs from AFP)
