Israeli forces have intercepted nearly all of the 50 activist flotilla boats bound for Gaza, detaining dozens of the 500 protesters attempting to deliver aid into the enclave.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which included renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg, was halted, and Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced the conclusion of the operation. Israeli airstrikes and gunfire resulted in the deaths of at least 41 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, with Hamas deliberating its response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace proposal to end the prolonged conflict.
The proposal demands Hamas to release all 48 hostages, relinquish power, and disarm in exchange for the freedom of numerous Palestinian prisoners and a cessation of hostilities. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the terms, the plan does not outline a clear path to Palestinian statehood.
Originally comprising over 40 vessels and close to 450 activists, the flotilla carried a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Their primary objective was to challenge Israel’s blockade and stop the ongoing violence against the Palestinian population.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry labeled the flotilla a “provocation,” asserting that other nations had offered to transport the aid onboard the boats. Flotilla organizers reported that around 39 vessels were intercepted or presumed intercepted during an Israeli operation that lasted through the night.
Subsequently, Israeli authorities confirmed that only one boat remained at a distance and would also be intercepted. The war, triggered by a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 others.
Presently, 48 hostages are still held in Gaza, with approximately 20 believed to be alive. The Israeli offensive following the initial attack has led to the deaths of over 66,000 Palestinians, as stated by Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israeli forces apprehended several individuals, including Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, and European Parliament member Rima Hassan, from the flotilla. Furthermore, approximately 400,000 Palestinians have fled famine-stricken Gaza City since Israel initiated a significant military campaign in the region.
On Thursday morning, witnesses observed smoke rising in northern Gaza as residents evacuated the area heading south.