Overview

• Spanish authorities say about 65 nationals were on the convoy and have dispatched the consul general and two civil guards to Ashdod as protests erupted in Barcelona, where Catalan police charged crowds outside the Israeli consulate.
• Organizers label the interception a war crime, alleging water-cannon use, contaminated water and communications blocking, while Israel maintains no vessel breached the Gaza naval blockade and characterizes the mission as a provocation.
• Detained participants are being identified in Ashdod and told to sign statements acknowledging illegal entry for rapid removal or face detention and possible charges, according to consular and legal accounts.
• Some boats avoided the operation and a separate nine‑vessel effort that departed Italy continues toward Gaza, keeping the maritime standoff active.
• Governments issued varied responses, with Colombia expelling Israel’s diplomatic delegation and Turkey condemning the action, while France, Italy and Spain pressed for consular access and the safe return of their citizens.