The Israeli navy intercepted vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters late Wednesday, halting the aid convoy as it sailed toward Gaza to challenge Israel’s long-running maritime blockade. Sri Lankan activist Sameera Mehboobdeen had joined the mission a week earlier and was on board the convoy at the time of the operation.
The flotilla said in a statement that Israeli military boats had surrounded its ships near the Greek island of Crete, jammed communications and lost contact with 11 vessels. It said Israeli forces were positioned alongside the convoy with weapons drawn at those on board, adding that “the Israeli navy cannot silence voices demanding justice.” Israeli Army Radio reported that naval forces had begun taking control of vessels and had seized at least seven so far, in what public broadcaster KAN described as the farthest interception operation Israel has carried out against a Gaza-bound flotilla.
The convoy was carrying humanitarian supplies — food, medicine and essentials — and aimed to open a sea corridor into the territory. Organisers said the mission included around 100 boats and nearly 1,000 activists from multiple countries. The flotilla called on governments worldwide to act to protect the vessels and hold Israel accountable.
Mehboobdeen left Sri Lanka on April 23 to join the convoy, in a departure formally marked at the Embassy of Palestine in Colombo by the Free Palestine Organization. Government MP Najith Indika, who attended the send-off, said at the time: “We wish victory for the struggle for a Free Palestine and pray for strength, courage, and the safe return of Sister Sameera Mehboobdeen.” Her status following the interception was not immediately confirmed.
Israel’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a post on X that, in coordination with the Greek government, those transferred to an Israeli vessel would be disembarked on a Greek beach in the coming hours. Organisers put the total detained at 211, including a Paris city councillor. Paris said 15 French nationals were detained, while Rome called for the immediate release of 24 Italians. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused Israel of “once again violating international law by attacking a civilian flotilla in waters that do not belong to it” and urged the EU to freeze bilateral ties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the interception a “total success” and described the participants as “Hamas supporters.” Around 30 boats remain en route, most now in Greek territorial waters south of Crete. Mehboobdeen’s status following the interception was not separately confirmed.
Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza since 2007. Previous Sumud Flotilla missions have ended with vessels seized and crew deported through Israeli ports.
Sri Lanka’s civil-society engagement with the Gaza crisis has broadened from embassy-level solidarity into direct participation in international convoys. Activist networks in Colombo have also filed domestic complaints linked to alleged war-crimes concerns involving foreign nationals transiting the country.
