Israeli military stops nearly all boats in aid flotilla, sparking global protests

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators attend a rally in Rome, Italy, Oct. 2, 2025, in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla after ships were intercepted by the Israeli navy. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

Israel faced international condemnation and protests on Thursday after its military intercepted almost all of about 40 boats in a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza and took captive more than 450 foreign activists, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Cameras broadcasting live feeds from the boats showed armed Israeli soldiers in helmets and night vision goggles boarding the ships, while passengers huddled in life vests with their hands up.