40+ Gaza-bound Sumud Flotilla ships hijacked, forced to Isdud
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The Israeli Navy seizes over 40 Global Sumud Flotilla boats, blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza amid ongoing siege and famine.
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An Israeli Navy vessel moves in the Mediterranean Sea toward the port of Isdud, occupied Palestine, on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP)
The Israeli Navy has seized over 40 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla, preventing life-saving humanitarian aid from Palestinians in Gaza, as "Israel" sustains its illegal siege and engineered famine in the Strip.
The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza announced that the Omar Al-Mukhtar, a ship from the Global Sumud Flotilla, lost all communication after Israeli naval vessels hijacked it off the coast of the Gaza Strip, with the disruption in contact being caused by signal jamming from Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, navigational data showed that the Mikeno vessel had in fact entered the territorial waters of the Gaza Strip, bringing it to within approximately 9 nautical miles of the coast.
'Israel' seizes 40 boats, leads them to Isdud Port
The Israeli Navy, including its elite Shayetet 13 unit, had raided more than 40 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla, Israeli Kan military correspondent Itay Blumenthal reported on Thursday.
Video footage circulating on social media shows activists participating in the #GlobalSumudFlotilla chanting in support of #Palestine as Israeli forces intercept the vessels. pic.twitter.com/uYwAAuVn9g
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 1, 2025
He added that the hundreds of participants from the flotilla were transported to the port of Isdud, where they are being given the choice between voluntary deportation or undergoing legal procedures for forced repatriation to their home countries. They are expected to arrive at the port by noon today.
Blumenthal also noted that four boats from the flotilla remain stranded at sea due to technical and engine failures, confirming that if they do not turn back or cease their course, they will be arrested or towed by Israeli forces.
Israeli naval and commando forces are continuing their extensive search operations across the area to ensure that not a single ship manages to reach the Gaza shoreline.
Protests, strikes overtake the world
"Israel's" action against the flotilla has sparked global popular outrage, with demonstrations, protests, and strikes being announced in numerous countries.
After the Israeli occupation attacked the Global Sumud Flotilla during its humanitarian mission to the Gaza Strip, people across multiple countries took to the streets in a show of support and solidarity for the flotilla.#Palestine #Gaza #GazaGenocide #GlobalSumudFlotilla pic.twitter.com/aYIzDSJX61
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 2, 2025
Across Europe, from Greece to Spain, Sweden, Belgium, and Italy, thousands took to the streets, with Italy's largest trade union federation in Rome announcing a nationwide general strike for next Friday to protest the seizure.
In Germany, demonstrators blocked the central train station, while in Geneva, Switzerland, calls were launched for mobilizations condemning the attack on the flotilla.
In London, thousands marched toward the prime minister's residence while chanting slogans against the Israeli occupation. Similar rallies took place in Canada and Argentina, with the latter seeing demonstrators gathering in Buenos Aires to denounce the aggression.
Turkish cities, led by Istanbul, witnessed mass demonstrations condemning the Israeli Navy’s assault on the flotilla, while in Tunis, large crowds rallied in support of Gaza and against normalization with the occupation. In Nouakchott, Mauritania, protesters also gathered, underscoring the widespread rejection of the attack across Arab capitals.
