By Quds News Network
The last remaining vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying aid to the Gaza Strip, has been intercepted and seized by Israeli forces off the coast of the war-torn Palestinian enclave.
Livestream video showed Israeli forces forcing their way onboard the vessel Friday morning.
The Polish-flagged Marinette, which reportedly has a crew of six, was the last remaining operational vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla – once a 44-strong fleet.
A live video feed of the yacht, active as of 04:00 GMT, shows the crew steering the ship as the sun rises behind them in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea.
A live geo tracker shows the ship located some 43 nautical miles (about 80km) from Gaza’s territorial waters.
[https://twitter.com/gbsumudflotilla/status/1974024941583454461]
On Wednesday and Thursday, Israel’s naval forces stopped dozens of boats carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza and abducted about 500 activists from more than 40 countries.
Israel’s navy has intercepted each boat and detained its crew before transferring them to Israel, from where they will be deported. Several high-profile figures – including activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and Member of European Parliament Rima Hassan – are among those being held.
This marks the first time in history that dozens of vessels have sailed together toward Gaza. The coastal enclave, home to 2.2 million people, has been under an Israeli blockade for 18 years and is now under a two-year-long Israeli genocide that has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians since October 2023, alongside an Israeli-made famine.
Israel’s History of Intercepting Gaza-Bound Aid Flotillas Challenging the Blockade
Israel has a long history of intercepting and attacking flotillas bound for the Gaza Strip, particularly since it imposed a blockade on the enclave in 2007. These missions are often organized by international activists or pro-Palestinian groups seeking to deliver humanitarian aid or challenge Israel’s illegal blockade.
The most recent attempt, on October 1 and 2, was the Global Sumud Flotilla — the largest grassroots humanitarian fleet in history.
Below is a timeline of Israel’s interceptions and attacks on Gaza-bound aid flotillas:
Free Gaza Movement, August 2008:
Two small boats, Free Gaza and Liberty, organized by the Free Gaza Movement. Activists from about 17 countries sailed from Larnaca, Cyprus to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, bring attention to the blockade, and deliver aid.
The boats were tracked by Israeli naval vessels for much of the voyage. Their navigation or communication systems were also jammed.
They arrived safely in Gaza on 23 August 2008. They were greeted by many Palestinians and delivered hearing aids and medicine.
Mavi Marmara / Gaza Freedom Flotilla, May 31, 2010:
Part of a flotilla of six ships organized by the Free Gaza Movement and Turkish NGO Humanitarian Relief Foundation. The Mavi Marmara carried about 600 people. It aimed to break the naval blockade of Gaza, to deliver humanitarian goods directly, and to challenge the blockade.
Israeli naval commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara in international waters. The attack killed ten Turkish activists and injured several.
Freedom Flotilla II, 2011:
The flotilla involved more than 300 participants from around the world and was set to sail on 10 vessels as a follow-up to the 2010 mission.
However, intense diplomatic pressure from Israel, coupled with reported sabotage of ships and restrictions by host countries like Greece, prevented most boats from departing. Only one ship, Dignité al‑Karama, managed to sail.
The 17-passenger French vessel announced they were heading for Gaza. Israeli naval commandos intercepted the boat and towed it to Ashdod. The activists were abducted and later deported.
Freedom Flotilla III, 2015:
Freedom Flotilla III was launched as the third major attempt by international activists to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.
Organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the mission included several vessels, with the Swedish-flagged Marianne of Gothenburg leading the effort.
On June 29, 2015, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Marianne about 100 nautical miles off the Gaza coast, in international waters. Commandos boarded the ship and diverted it to Ashdod. The activists on board were abducted and later deported, with some crew members released after six days.
Women’s Boat to Gaza, 2016:
One vessel, Zaytouna‑Oliva. The sailing boat was carrying women representing 13 countries from 5 continents who were trying to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza. The women included three parliamentarians, an Olympic athlete, former US Diplomat and CODEPINK Activist Ann Wright, and Nobel Peace Laureate, Mairead Maguire.
On 5 October 2016, the Israeli Navy intercepted it about 35 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast (approximately 65 km). Israeli forces boarded the vessela dn directed it to Ashdod. The interception occurred as Israel was simultaneously bombarding Gaza.
All activists were abducted, then deported to their home countries.
The last message heard from Mairead Maguire stated “We are people of the world, we should be allowed to visit our brothers and sisters in Gaza and not be stopped. We will continue to support the people of Gaza and the people of Palestine until they have their human rights and their freedom.”
Just Future for Palestine / Freedom Flotilla, 2018:
The flotilla included main vessels Al Awda (“The Return”) and Freedom, supported by yachts Mairead and Falestine and organised by Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) to challenge the blockade again, in a symbolic protest to deliver aid.
On July 29 and August 3, 2018, those two main vessels Al Awda and Freedom were intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters. Ships were seized; persons on board arrested, detained and later deported. Some activists reported being tasered, assaulted, or beaten.
Recent Flotilla Attempts, 2025:
Madleen — June 9:
Organizer: Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC)
What it carried: Humanitarian aid — including baby formula, food, medical supplies.
Who was on board: 12 activists; among them Greta Thunberg, MEP Rima Hassan
Location / interception: Intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters, about 100 nautical miles (about 185 km) from Gaza.
What happened: The ship was boarded; communications (cameras / livestream) disabled before boarding; the ship was towed, crew abducted then deported. The aid was seized.
Handala — July 27:
Organizer: Also the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
What it carried: Aid (baby formula, food, medicine), civilian supplies.
Who was on board: 19 activists + 2 journalists, from several countries (including French parliamentarians).
Location / interception: Intercepted about 40 nautical miles from Gaza in international waters, late at night (communications cut).
What happened: The ship was boarded after cutting off cameras/communication; passengers detained, brought to the port of Ashdod.
Global Sumud Flotilla — October 1‑2:
Organizer: Global Sumud Flotilla
What it carried: humanitarian aid
Who on board: Approximately 500 activists on about 44‑47 civilian boats; notable figures include Greta Thunberg, Mandla Mandela, Ada Colau (former mayor of Barcelona), others.
Location / interception: Boats were being intercepted about 70 nautical miles (about 130 km) off Gaza; some boats boarded; communication / livestream disrupted. The lead vessels intercepted include Alma, Sirius, Adara, among others.
What happened: Israeli forces boarded some of the boats, some boats reported water cannon use; some vessels had their devices and cameras disabled. Activists on intercepted vessels were abducted to be deported.
3 October 2025
Source: countercurrents.org