The Israeli Navy seized several ships belonging to a Gaza flotilla during the night between Wednesday and Thursday, far from Israel’s coastline. According to Israeli media reports and statements from the organizers themselves, the interception took place near the Greek island of Crete, hundreds of nautical miles from the Gaza Strip.

Activists from the so-called “Global Sumud Flotilla” said their ships were stopped by military speedboats. On social media, they reported that soldiers identified themselves as Israeli forces and ordered participants to lie on the floor. There has so far been no independent confirmation of this account.

Israeli security sources confirmed that the navy had taken control of the vessels. Official statements from the military were initially cautious.

Same script, different year. The israeli navy thinks a radio warning can drown out the cries for justice. You call it a “maritime security blockade” — the rest of the world calls it a crime scene. We aren’t “invited” to Ashdod; we aren’t your guests. We are the witnesses you… pic.twitter.com/dElolWN59Y

— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) April 29, 2026

In a published radio recording, an Israeli naval officer can be heard ordering the activists to change course. “If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, you may do so through recognized and established channels — for example, through the port of Ashdod,” the officer said. He also warned: “If you attempt to breach the naval blockade, we will board your vessel and confiscate it through legal proceedings. Full responsibility rests with you.”

The “humanitarian aid”: condoms and drugs

Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded sharply, describing the flotilla as a public relations stunt. In a statement, the ministry said that condoms and drugs, among other items, had been found aboard the ships — but not the expected humanitarian aid. These claims have not yet been independently verified.

This is the “medical aid” found aboard the PR stunt flotilla: condoms and drugs pic.twitter.com/RKiHrGLWfw

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 29, 2026

Defense Minister Israel Katz had already taken action against the organizers ahead of the flotilla. His ministry imposed sanctions on a crowdfunding campaign said to be linked to Hamas.

Jerusalem also stresses that aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip should take place only through official and controlled channels in order to prevent weapons smuggling. Against this background, the government views the flotilla not only as a provocation but also as a potential security risk.

The organizers, by contrast, describe the flotilla as a humanitarian mission. They say their goal is to break Israel’s naval blockade and establish a direct sea route for aid supplies to Gaza. Israel counters that the naval blockade, in place since 2009, is lawful under international law and is intended to prevent weapons shipments to Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Flotilla actions of this kind are not new. In recent years, several similar attempts have been stopped by the Israeli Navy, with participants detained and later deported. Prominent international activists have also taken part, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, whose involvement has regularly attracted major media attention.

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