Israeli naval forces intercepted more than 40 boats attempting to breach the Gaza blockade in an overnight operation that concluded Thursday.

Over 400 activists with the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), including climate activist Greta Thunberg, were detained after the navy seized 41 vessels.

Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port.
Greta and her friends are safe and healthy. pic.twitter.com/PA1ezier9s

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 1, 2025

The GSF, which departed from Spain a month earlier, was intercepted as it sought to break the Gaza blockade and deliver aid. Israel denounced the flotilla as a provocation, insisting that humanitarian supplies may only enter through established inspection channels, and accused Hamas of organizing and funding the effort.

According to the Israeli navy, commandos from Shayetet 13 led the 12-hour operation, using electronic jamming and water cannons before boarding the ships.

The Hamas-Sumud provocation is over.

None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade.

All the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from…

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 2, 2025

Shortly before 2 p.m., Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced that the “provocation” by the Global Sumud Flotilla “is over.”

“None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade,” the ministry said.

The ministry added that “all the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe.”

The ministry said one remaining vessel from the flotilla was still at a distance and warned that if it approached, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade would also be prevented. Organizers had earlier stated that the flotilla comprised 47 vessels carrying 500 people.

The sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation. Israel, Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have all offered and continue to offer the flotilla a way to peacefully deliver any aid they might have to Gaza. The flotilla refused because they are not… pic.twitter.com/pLQj1FLIPA

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 1, 2025

The interception took place after the Israeli Navy warned the Gaza-bound flotilla that it was approaching an active combat zone and urged it to divert course toward the port of Ashdod.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Israeli forces for intercepting the flotilla, saying: “Their important action prevented dozens of vessels from entering the war zone and repelled a campaign of delegitimization against Israel.”