This was the fourth attempt to break the blockade in 2025, the largest in the last 18 years.
The Israel Police reports that more than 470 participants of the so-called "Global Flotilla of Sumud," who attempted to break the maritime blockade of Gaza, have undergone processing prior to their expulsion from the country.
Initially, they were taken to the port of Ashdod for identity verification and legal procedures.
In a statement from the Israel Police, it is said: "The detainees underwent thorough checks and were transferred for further consideration of their cases to the Population and Immigration Authority and the Prison Service."
According to statements from foreign ministries, among the detainees are citizens of Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Poland, Australia, and other countries. Earlier, the organizers of the "flotilla" mentioned the participation of representatives from 47 countries.
According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are about 40 Italians among the detainees, including several members of parliament. Up to 16 are Irish. No fewer than six South Africans. Among the detained French is Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan. Among those detained is eco-activist Greta Thunberg (Sweden).
According to reports from American media, among the participants of the "Global Flotilla of Sumud" detained by Israeli authorities are at least 24 U.S. citizens. The U.S. State Department has not commented on this information yet. Official lists of detained Americans have not yet been published. However, according to media reports, among them are U.S. Army veterans Greg Stoker, a former U.S. Army ranger, and Phil Tottenham, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. ABC News confirms the information about the detention of 24 Americans, citing a letter from Democratic Party members of the House of Representatives.
According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israeli authorities are preparing two charter flights with the deportees for October 6-7. They plan to send them to European capitals after the completion of consular visits and formal hearings. It is noted that one vessel of the "flotilla" – Marinette – is currently about 50 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. As of Friday morning, it has not been intercepted. According to available data, this vessel fell behind due to technical failure. Nine other vessels, formally declared as participants in the action, are located nearly 500 nautical miles from Gaza. On this basis, the Qatari channel "Al Jazeera" states that the action of the "flotilla of resilience" continues.
The day before, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the "Hamas-Sumud provocation" is over. "None of the yachts involved in the 'Hamas-Sumud' provocation managed to successfully enter the zone of active hostilities or breach the maritime blockade. All passengers are safe and in good health. They... will be deported to Europe," the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.
The action of the "Global Flotilla of Sumud" began on September 1 from Barcelona. The vessels reached the coast of Tunisia, then Sicily, Crete, and were intercepted on the night of October 2 in the eastern Mediterranean as they approached the maritime border of Israel.
Pro-Palestinian activists claimed they intended to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza, including food, water, and medicine. They demanded safe passage to the coast of Gaza and the opening of a humanitarian maritime corridor.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed to the connections of the organizers of the "flotilla" with the terrorist group Hamas.
Humanitarian aid to Gaza is constantly delivered overland and dropped from the air. However, the activists of the "flotilla" claimed that the residents of Gaza are starving.
This was the fourth attempt to break the blockade of Gaza in 2025, the largest in the last 18 years. It should be noted that the blockade of Gaza was imposed after the terrorist organization Hamas seized power in the sector through a military coup in 2007.
On the night of June 9, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces intercepted the yacht Madleen, which was attempting to breach the maritime blockade and enter the Gaza Strip. The interception was carried out by the naval special forces "Shayetet 13." The yacht Madleen was directed to the port of Ashdod. On the night of June 10, participants of the "Freedom Flotilla" action, who planned to break the maritime blockade and sail to Gaza on the yacht Madleen, were taken from Ashdod to Ben Gurion Airport. They were then deported from Israel. Among others, Thunberg was deported.
On July 26, 2025, the Israeli Navy intercepted the vessel Handala, which was approaching the Gaza Strip with the aim of breaching the maritime blockade. The crew and passengers of the vessel were detained. After the interception, the vessel Handala was towed to the port of Ashdod. Participants of the action were deported from Israel.
