Overview

• Israeli forces stopped nearly all of about 40–50 Global Sumud boats roughly 70 nautical miles off Gaza and transferred more than 450 activists to Ashdod, according to Israeli officials and the flotilla.
• Greta Thunberg was among those detained, with Israel saying all are safe, and Italy’s foreign minister indicating deportations are expected early next week.
• Organisers reported scrambled communications and the use of water cannons during boardings, while Israel cited enforcement of a declared wartime blockade and offered to channel any aid through approved routes.
• Turkey condemned the action as terrorism, Colombia ordered Israel’s diplomats out and ended a free trade pact, Malaysia said eight nationals were held, and demonstrations spread across Europe, with Italian unions calling a general strike.
• Flotilla organisers said at least one vessel remained at sea and the mission continues, as UN figures and legal experts publicly questioned Israel’s authority to intercept in international waters.