Overview

• Israeli naval units intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla about 70–72 nautical miles off Gaza, boarding dozens of civilian boats after cutting communications and using water cannons, with no serious injuries reported.
• Roughly 400 participants were taken to the port of Ashdod, with Italy confirming 40 detained citizens in good condition and outlining options for immediate voluntary expulsion or short detention before deportation, with first returns expected on Friday.
• Large demonstrations spread across Italy, including university occupations, a Rome rally at the Colosseum, and clashes near Bologna’s central station, alongside plans for a general strike on Friday.
• Israel published material alleging links between some flotilla organizers and Hamas, a claim the mission’s organizers dispute, as legal experts question the interception’s lawfulness under the San Remo Manual and humanitarian law.
• Confusion persists over the status of one vessel, cited as the Mikeno, with trackers and social posts initially suggesting it neared Gaza, while both organizers and Israeli authorities say no boat broke the blockade.