Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted; Israel abducts crew, $110,000 medical aid

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said on Wednesday that Israeli forces had intercepted its aid convoy headed to Gaza, detaining crew members and seizing vital supplies such as medicines, respiratory devices, and nutritional items meant for hospitals. The coalition described the action as arbitrary and unlawful, adding that the detainees’ location remains unclear.

According to the FFC and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG), three vessels, Gaza Sunbirds, Alaa Al-Najjar, and Anas Al-Sharif, were stopped and taken over by Israeli forces around 4:30 a.m., some 120 nautical miles (220 km) from Gaza.

The organisations said that doctors, journalists, and elected representatives were among those detained, along with medical and nutritional aid valued at more than $110,000, which had been intended for Gaza’s hospitals. Their current status has not been disclosed, Maktoob Media reported.

At around 5:30 a.m., Israeli forces reportedly intercepted eight vessels — Abd Elkarim Eid, Alaa Al-Najar, Anas Al-Sharif, Gaza Sunbird, Leïla Khaled, Milad, Soul of My Soul, and Um Saad. Another ship, The Conscience, was said to still be at sea, under attack from an Israeli helicopter.

David Heap, representing the Canadian Boat to Gaza and the FFC Steering Committee, argued that Israel lacked any legal authority to detain the international volunteers. He described the seizures as a blatant breach of international law and defiance of binding International Court of Justice orders that guarantee unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.

The incident adds to a series of similar actions, including the detention of crews from earlier flotillas such as Global Sumud, Handala, and Madleen, as well as a drone strike on The Conscience earlier in European waters.

Just days earlier, on October 2, the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of 44 boats carrying nearly 500 activists, lawmakers, journalists, and aid workers, attempted to break the blockade and deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza, but was stopped by Israeli forces as it approached the territory.

The Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) initiative is coordinating 1,000 ships from several countries in a large-scale peaceful maritime demonstration toward Gaza. Its primary aim, organisers say, is to challenge Israel’s blockade, highlight the humanitarian crisis, and demand unhindered access for aid. The effort also seeks to unite civil society groups, activists, and supporters worldwide around justice and human rights.

Malaysia strongly condemned Israel’s interception and attacks on the flotilla, calling the actions a blatant aggression against a humanitarian mission and a violation of international maritime, humanitarian, and human rights law.

Malaysian officials demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all participants and urged Israel to respect the safety and rights of humanitarian volunteers.

Malaysia reiterated its solidarity with the Palestinian people and reaffirmed its support for international efforts to resolve the crisis in Gaza and achieve lasting peace. Observers note that Israel’s 17-year blockade has turned Gaza into what the UN calls an “open-air prison,” restricting movement, food, and medical supplies.

In March, Israel closed Gaza’s main crossings, cutting off essential aid to 2.3 million Palestinians, an act widely criticised as using starvation as a weapon of war.