Overview

• Israeli naval forces boarded several Global Sumud vessels about 70–75 nautical miles from Gaza, cut some live feeds, and began transferring passengers to Ashdod, with officials saying detainees are safe and will likely be deported.
• Counts of seized boats vary, with flotilla organisers telling outlets that 9 to 13 vessels were stopped while they say roughly 30 continue toward Gaza.
• The convoy comprised more than 40 civilian boats with about 500 participants carrying symbolic aid, including high-profile figures such as Greta Thunberg, whose presence was confirmed in Israeli video.
• Israel warned the flotilla it was entering an active combat zone and reiterated offers to offload aid via Israeli channels, while activists reported water cannons, signal jamming, and earlier drone harassment during the voyage.
• The operation triggered swift fallout, including Turkey’s condemnation, Colombia’s order to expel Israeli diplomats and end a trade deal, Malaysia’s report of eight nationals detained, protests in Italy, and limited European naval escorts that stopped at a 150‑nautical‑mile safety line.