Cork grandfather on hunger strike after arrest on Gaza flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces

Cobh man Paddy O’Donovan, 61, was among 16 Irish citizens arrested after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla

Boats, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla aiming to reach Gaza and break Israel's naval blockade, sail off Koufonisi islet, Greece, September 26, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis

A Cork grandfather is on hunger strike in an Israeli jail after being arrested for his involvement in a flotilla trying to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Paddy O’Donovan, 61, from Cobh, is among 16 Irish citizens arrested after his boat, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted yesterday. All 42 boats in that flotilla have now been intercepted.