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The Israeli navy on Friday seized the last remaining vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which had set sail to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, organizers said.
A live broadcast from the Marinette boat showed an Israeli military vessel approaching before the feed was cut. Activists were seen throwing their phones into the water in line with security protocols before the connection ended. It is believed the activists were detained.
In a statement on X, the Global Sumud Flotilla said, “Israeli soldiers have boarded the Marinette of the #GlobalSumudFlotilla and taken the activists captive.”
"The livestream ended abruptly after a soldier smashed the camera upon boarding," it added.
The Polish-flagged Marinette, said to have a crew of six, was the last remaining operational vessel of the 44-strong fleet.
Israeli forces on Thursday intercepted nearly all of the flotilla’s 44 vessels, detaining more than 450 activists from over 50 countries, according to organizers.
The convoy, loaded mainly with humanitarian and medical supplies, had sought to challenge Israel’s nearly 18-year blockade of Gaza, home to some 2.4 million people.
Since October 2023, Israeli bombardments have killed more than 66,200 Palestinians—most of them women and children—while aid agencies warn famine and disease are spreading across the devastated enclave.
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