Israel Intercepts Final Ship of the “Flotilla of Steadfastness,” Begins Deporting Activists — Nine More Ships Sail Toward Gaza
The Flotilla of Steadfastness announced that the Israeli navy has seized all 42 of its vessels, after intercepting the final remaining ship earlier this morning. Israeli Broadcasting Authority confirmed that the navy declared control over the Marinet, the last vessel of the flotilla.
Late Thursday night, the flotilla had posted on social media that the Marinet was still sailing toward Gaza despite the interception of all other ships. Media reports indicated the Marinet, carrying six activists from various countries, reached 54 nautical miles (about 100 km) from Gaza — roughly 20 miles beyond the point where the first ships were stopped.
At the same time, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israeli authorities began deporting activists who agreed to sign deportation orders.
Freedom Flotilla Alliance Continues
Even as the Flotilla of Steadfastness was completely intercepted, nine vessels from the Freedom Flotilla Alliance and the ship Al-Madelein continue to sail directly toward Gaza, having departed the Italian island of Sicily on September 25.
Organizers insist they will press forward with their mission to reach Gaza despite Israel’s actions.
In a related development, a new ship named “Conscience” (Al-Dhamir), carrying dozens of journalists and international medical workers from 25 countries, also set sail. The journalists and medics aim to join their colleagues from the Freedom Flotilla in breaking the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
It is worth noting that the Conscience ship was previously attacked by Israel off the coast of Malta in May.
Mass Arrests and Hunger Strikes
Following Israel’s full interception of the flotilla, organizers called for immediate international intervention.
The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza reported that several detainees from the seized ships have begun an open-ended hunger strike since their arrest.
Israeli media confirmed that 473 activists from the global flotilla were transferred to Ketziot Prison in the Negev after questioning.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that all detained activists would be deported to Europe, while Israel Hayom reported that they are expected to be flown to their home countries early next week.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority said hundreds of participants were taken to Ashdod Port for “voluntary deportation” or to face judicial procedures for forced deportation.
Military Sweep and Political Reaction
Israeli navy and army forces are conducting a maritime sweep to ensure that no ship manages to approach Gaza’s shores.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived at Ashdod Port, where activists are being interrogated. Recorded footage showed him calling the activists “terrorists.”
Israeli reports from the previous day indicated that the navy had seized 41 ships bound for Gaza carrying over 400 activists, and that the raid involved hundreds of soldiers from different units — including the elite Shayetet 13 naval commando, which simultaneously captured six main ships, among them Sirius and Deir Yassin.
Israel Boasts: “No Ship Reached Gaza”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry posted on X that no vessel succeeded in reaching Gaza’s shores, warning that “any remaining ships approaching will also be stopped.”
The Global Flotilla of Steadfastness had set sail in early September from Spain with around 45 ships carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists from over 40 countries, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan.
The ships were loaded with baby formula, food supplies, and medical aid intended for Gaza — a territory under an unrelenting Israeli blockade.