Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza Aid Flotilla, Detains Thunberg

On Oct. 1 Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, boarding multiple Gaza-bound aid vessels and diverting several to the Israeli port of Ashdod, saying passengers were being transferred and were "safe and healthy." Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who was aboard the vessel Alma, was detained and appears in footage released by Israel’s Foreign Ministry that Reuters has verified. Organizers said the flotilla — roughly 40–47 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers, activists and humanitarian supplies — was illegally intercepted, and at least six ships were reportedly seized with some communications and cameras cut. Activists reported Israeli measures including water cannon and earlier drone activity, while Israel described the operation as stopping an attempted breach of its naval blockade and said participants would be deported. The interception, coming after previous flotilla confrontations, has renewed international scrutiny over efforts to deliver aid to Gaza amid the ongoing blockade.