Israel Boards Gaza Flotilla; Activists Detained

Israeli naval forces intercepted and boarded multiple vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla — a roughly 40–45‑ship convoy carrying activists, humanitarian aid and figures including Greta Thunberg — late Wednesday about 70–75 miles off Gaza, organizers and media said. Organizers reported that communications and live streams were cut, that ships including the Alma, Sirius and Adara were boarded, and that passengers were detained and transferred to Israeli ports while the status of some crews remained unconfirmed. Israel's foreign ministry released footage calling the convoy a provocation that violated a lawful naval blockade and said participants were safe and could deliver aid through established ports such as Ashdod. Spain, Italy and Greece had earlier sent naval escorts and urged the flotilla to halt; Italy said it was assured the boarding would avoid violence. The interception prompted accusations of "piracy" from the flotilla and Hamas and renewed international scrutiny over humanitarian access to Gaza, where the U.N. has warned famine has set in.