By Quds News Network
Gaza (QNN)- Israeli forces intercepted, boarded, and took control of several ships that are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Activists on board were abducted, prompting widespread international condemnation.
Israeli media reports confirm that the Israeli navy has seized around 40 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla and is towing them to Ashdod port.
Israeli forces have detained 223 international activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, a Gaza-bound aid convoy. Despite more than 40 reported interceptions, one vessel, Mikeno, successfully broke through and reached Palestinian waters for the first time in a historic development, breaching the Israeli blockade.
What Happened?
Israeli naval forces intercepted a flotilla of boats carrying humanitarian aid on Wednesday, according to statements from the flotilla organizers.
They reported that the forces boarded the vessels about 70 nautical miles (130km) off the coast of Gaza, cutting communications and jamming signals as the flotilla neared the blockaded enclave.
Global Sumud Flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek has provided a “mission update” in a post on Instagram, confirming that Israeli forces have intercepted 13 boats at sea.
Abukeshek said there were more than 201 people from 37 countries on those boats, including 30 participants from Spain, 22 from Italy, 21 from Turkey and 12 from Malaysia.
He said the group’s “mission is going on” despite the arrests, and vessels are continuing to sail “through the Mediterranean to break the siege on Gaza”.
The flotilla in all includes more than 40 civilian boats and about 500 activists from dozens of countries.
The raid came hours after Italy, Spain, and Turkey withdrew their military escorts and surveillance drones, leaving the humanitarian flotilla exposed.
The mission included South African politician Mandela Mandela, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French MEP Rima Hassan, and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau.
Initial list of the activists and politicians abducted by the Israeli navy on board the Global Sumud Flotilla:
Greta Thunberg – climate activist
Mandla Mandela – grandson of Nelson Mandela
Luizianne Lins – Brazilian congresswoman
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan – ex-senator
Manuela Bedoya – Colombian activist
Luna Barreto – Colombian activist
Bruno Gilga – Brazilian union leader
Zizi Kirana – Malaysian singer
Farah Lee – influencer
Heliza & Hazwani Helmi – activists
Thiago Ávila – organizer
Enissa Amani – comedian & activist
Ada Colau – former Mayor of Barcelona
Gustaf Skarsgård – actor
Arlin Medrano + 5 Other Mexicans
Irish Senator Chris Andrews
Jasmine Ikeda — US Citizen
Nestor Prieto — Journalist
Rima Hassan — Member of the European Parliament
The Global Sumud Flotilla left Spain in late August with 45 boats carrying hundreds of pro-Palestine and anti-genocide activists from more than 40 countries.
The mission included South African politician Mandela Mandela, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French MEP Rima Hassan, and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau.
Organizers said the ships carried baby formula, food, and medical supplies. They described the effort as peaceful and aimed at breaking Israel’s siege on Gaza.
But Israel accused the flotilla of attempting to breach its naval blockade, claiming that it is affiliated with Hamas.
On September 30, Italy ended its naval escort of the flotilla, halting at the 150-nautical-mile line that Israel declared off-limits. Rome urged participants to abandon the mission.
Spain followed suit on October 1. Defense Minister Margarita Robles said the Spanish warship Furor would track the flotilla but not intervene unless “absolutely necessary.”
Earlier the same day, Turkey’s Akinci drone providing aerial cover left the area around 01:45 UTC.
The withdrawals left the flotilla without international protection when Israel launched its assault.
The flotilla had already faced multiple drone strikes and firebomb attacks in September. Activists said Israel was trying to intimidate them into turning back.
Despite the risks, flotilla leaders vowed to continue until aid reaches Gaza, where more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
“This mission is peaceful, non-violent, and urgent,” the group said. “The people of Gaza are starving and under siege. We cannot stop.”
Italy’s Largest Union Calls Nationwide Strike Over Israeli Attack on Gaza Flotilla
Italy’s Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) trade union announced a nationwide general strike for October 3. The move came after reports that Israel intercepted the Gaza-bound aid flotilla known as the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The union said it was fulfilling its earlier pledge to halt work if the convoy was attacked. It accused Israel of violating international law.
“Attacked the Global Sumud Flotilla Israel attacks international law. Now is the time to block everything,” USB declared on X, the US-based social media platform.
The group urged immediate mobilizations “in all squares” before the strike.
On Friday, Italy’s largest trade union, CGIL, also threatened a general strike if the humanitarian flotilla was blocked or attacked.
The coordinated action signals rising labor opposition in Italy to Israel’s military campaign and its blockade of Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail at the end of August. It carried humanitarian aid and medical supplies bound for Gaza.
More than 50 ships, the largest convoy in years, joined the mission. On board were 532 civilian supporters from over 45 countries.
The flotilla had been expected to reach Gaza’s coast by Thursday morning under normal conditions.
[https://twitter.com/Globalsumudf/status/1973452133568774359]
[https://twitter.com/fjadaoud/status/1973482317793599719]
[https://twitter.com/Seamus_Malek/status/1973481168994705610]
Gaza’s 2.4 million people have been living under Israeli blockade for nearly 18 years. Israel tightened the siege further on March 2, closing all border crossings and blocking food, medicine, and aid.
The restrictions pushed Gaza into famine as aid trucks piled up at the borders.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 66,100 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Constant bombardment has made Gaza uninhabitable. Starvation and disease continue to spread.
“Carrying Nappies, Called Terrorists… What a World”: QNN Speaks to Irish Comedian Tadhg Hickey Before Gaza Flotilla Israeli Attack
Israeli naval forces stormed six ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla on Wednesday, kidnapping participants and redirecting the convoy to Ashdod port. The Flotilla left Spain in late August with 45 boats carrying hundreds of pro-Palestine and anti-genocide activists from more than 40 countries.
Just hours before the Israeli navy attacked the Flotilla, we spoke with Irish comedian Tadhg Hickey aboard one of the vessels heading to Gaza. The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies, aims to break the 18-year-long Israeli blockade. Hickey shared his thoughts on the mission, its risks, and his motivation for joining.
Calm Before the Storm
“How’s the situation?” we asked.
“Situation is good,” Hickey replied. “We’re literally just sitting here, expecting an interception at any hour. It could be in ten minutes, an hour, or later tonight. We just don’t know.”
Hickey, on a small boat with ten people, said the group has rehearsed safety drills and built strong camaraderie. “We’re calm and relaxed. There’s very little fear because we know what we’re doing. Spiritually, we’re calm because we’re upholding humanitarian law. Why would we feel nervous? It’s the oppressor who should feel anxiety or shame. But that’s not how the world works.”
“Historically, these interceptions happen at night”, Hickey said. “The worst operations always happen at night in Gaza. But we’re prepared for anything. There’s never been a mission of this scale; 40 to 50 boats. Israel may start during the day for visibility, but by nightfall, we’ll be 50 or 60 nautical miles from Gaza, near where the Handala was stopped. We’re hopeful, though. We believe in international law, and we’ve promised the people of Gaza we will not abandon them.”
“I was astonished at the lack of real diplomatic pressure on Israel,” Hickey said speaking about his motivation. “Two years into what can only be called genocide, humanitarians are heading into Palestinian waters. Governments talk, but they do almost nothing.”
He described Israel and Italy’s warnings as absurd. “It’s almost like a bad sitcom. We’re bringing nappies, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid, yet we’re being labeled as terrorists. I felt it was my duty to act. My family supports me, which means a lot. This mission is about making a tiny difference in a world that often ignores human suffering. And it’s only the beginning. The global solidarity movement for Palestine is relentless, beautiful, and formidable.”
Gaza’s Global Impact
Hickey outlined the possible outcomes: “We could reach Gaza and break the siege, that’s the optimum. Or, we could be intercepted and detained, labeled criminals or terrorists. Worst case, there could be an attack like in 2010, with casualties. Whatever happens, people must act. Ireland and Europe should put pressure on their governments. Western leaders often lack moral clarity, so the people must lead.”
“Gaza has changed everything,” he said. “Watching Palestinians endure unimaginable horror every day forces the world to question itself. It challenges our authenticity, solidarity, and resilience. People now see the complicity of Western leaders and the mainstream media. The world is awake. They can choose to act or ignore it, but they know the truth.”
Satire, Family, and Solidarity
Hickey also reflected on his role aboard the ship. “I like to think of myself as a clown,” he said. “I bring levity to dark situations. My practical skills are limited, but I help keep people sane.”
Ireland’s history of colonial struggle shaped Hickey’s solidarity. “It’s in our bones,” he said. “We understand oppression, starvation, and labeling resistance as terrorism. Ireland and Palestine share a colonial experience. Supporting Palestine brings the best out of Irish people, reconnecting us to our roots.”
“Contrary to the Hasbro-style propaganda claiming you need a degree in geopolitics to understand Israel-Palestine, from an Irish perspective it’s clear: it’s settler colonialism, brutality, racism, and ethno-supremacy. The Irish have lived through that same colonial playbook; in many ways, Ireland is Palestine.”
His commitment comes with personal sacrifice. “I have three kids, one older daughter, and two young daughters. My youngest was just 16 weeks old before I left. My partner made huge sacrifices too. Solidarity is a family affair. I want my children to grow up knowing they’re equal to others. We cannot turn away from suffering and pretend it doesn’t exist. This is about teaching values, not just speaking about them.”
“In the West, and especially in Ireland, there’s this mindset of just looking after your own kids. People hold the delusion that they’re good, while their world shrinks smaller and smaller. But suffering is everywhere, and I believe we are all equal. As I often say, Ireland is Palestine, so turning your back on Palestinian children while kissing your own kids goodnight, thinking you’re a good person, just doesn’t add up for me.”
A Message to Gaza
Israel often labels pro-Palestinian activists as Hamas. Hickey shrugged off the accusations. “I’m not a member of Hamas; my Catholic background prevents that. These claims have no credibility. We’re carrying humanitarian aid. Israel is desperate, labeling anyone it dislikes as Hamas. It’s evidence they’ve lost the argument, and I’m happy about that.”
Finally, Hickey shared a message for Palestinians in Gaza. “I’m lucky to be in contact with some people there. My message is simple: we won’t give up. Even if we don’t reach Gaza this time, flotillas are coming. This mission is only the beginning. Global opinion is shifting. We haven’t forgotten you. We love you, and we’re coming. You are not alone.”
As night fell, the boats drew closer to Gaza, bracing for confrontation. For Hickey, the choice was already made: “If governments fail to act, the people must act. That’s why we are here.”
2 October 2025
Source: countercurrents.org