Washington defends Gaza flotilla interception in international waters while European governments and protesters condemn Israeli seizure of aid vessels.
Key Developments
- US urges allies to block Gaza flotilla vessels from ports and refueling access.
- Spain condemns Israeli interception and calls for suspension of EU-Israel partnership agreement.
- Israel reportedly coordinated flotilla response through US-linked multinational headquarters in Kiryat Gat.
US Defends Efforts to Block Flotilla
The United States on Thursday defended actions taken against the Global Sumud Flotilla and urged allied governments to prevent future Gaza-bound aid vessels from operating through their ports.
US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said coastal states have full sovereignty over their ports and internal waters under international law.
He stated that Washington expects its allies to take “decisive action” by preventing flotilla-linked ships from docking, departing, entering, or refueling in ports.
Pigott also warned that the United States would use “available tools” against those supporting what he described as a “pro-Hamas flotilla.”
Israeli Navy Moves to Seize Gaza Flotilla, Activists Report Jamming and Warships
European Governments Condemn Seizure
The American position contrasted sharply with reactions from several European governments.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused Israel of “once again violating international law” and reiterated his call on the European Union to suspend its partnership agreement with Israel following the interception.
France called for all parties to respect international law and confirmed that 15 French citizens were among those detained.
Italy demanded the immediate release of 24 Italian activists reportedly detained during the operation, while Germany expressed “deep concern” over the seizure.
Foreign ministers from Jordan, Pakistan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Turkey, South Africa, Colombia, Libya, the Maldives, and Malaysia also issued condemnations of the Israeli operation against the flotilla.
Israeli Coordination through US-Linked Headquarters
The Lebanese news network Al Mayadeen reported that the Israeli military used a US-linked multinational coordination headquarters in Kiryat Gat to discuss efforts aimed at obstructing the flotilla.
According to the report, Israeli officials raised the flotilla issue during meetings with officers from multiple countries and sought support for measures to prevent the maritime mission from proceeding.
The report said some foreign representatives stated they lacked authority to prevent citizens from joining what they described as a civilian initiative.
Spanish representatives reportedly refused to discuss the flotilla issue even in closed meetings, citing instructions from higher authorities.
Israeli reports later claimed Spain’s delegates were removed from the Kiryat Gat headquarters following tensions over Madrid’s position on Gaza and the flotilla operation.
Protests across Europe
The interception sparked demonstrations in several European cities.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Rome, Milan, Naples, and Turin to denounce the seizure of the flotilla and demand humanitarian access to Gaza.
In Warsaw, demonstrators assembled outside the Israeli embassy carrying Palestinian flags and signs reading “Free the flotilla” and “Let humanitarian aid pass.”
Protesters condemned the continued Israeli blockade on Gaza and called for the release of detained activists.
Iran Condemns ‘Maritime Piracy’
Iran strongly condemned the operation, describing it as “maritime piracy and terrorism.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the flotilla represented a humanitarian mission involving activists from dozens of countries attempting to break what he called the “unjust blockade” of Gaza.
‘Act of Piracy’: Israel Seizes Gaza Flotilla in International Waters, Detains Activists
Baghaei argued that the interception was not only an attack on humanitarian aid efforts but also an assault on “the awakened conscience of humanity.”
He called on the international community and the United Nations to hold Israel accountable and support efforts demanding the immediate release of detainees.
Flotilla Intercepted near Greece
Israeli occupation forces intercepted dozens of flotilla vessels in international waters near Greece overnight between April 29 and 30.
According to various reports, between 21 and 22 vessels were seized while several others managed to reach Greek territorial waters.
The flotilla consisted of approximately 58 to 100 boats carrying nearly 1,000 activists and humanitarian supplies intended for Gaza.
The operation marks the second major interception involving the Global Sumud Flotilla following a similar Israeli seizure of aid vessels in international waters in 2025.
(PC, Al Mayadeen, Al-Jazeera, Tasnim)
It’s so interesting that Israelis hate Christians, yet the fake Christians in the West aren’t fazed when a nun is beaten by an Israeli settler, Christians are killed next to Palestinians. Maybe that’s the OLD Christianity?
The two-faced in US are an enigma.
Many Palestinians are Christians. To paraphrase Malcolm X, they don’t kill you because you’re Muslim (or Christian). They kill you because you’re Palestinian. Israelis get along just fine with Muslims in Saudi Arabia, and with Christians in Texas. Yes, they despise those religions. But their white-hot hatred is reserved for indigenous Palestinians of any faith or none.
It’s so disgusting! The US aren’t fazed because the US’s Christian Zionism happily beat nuns by a squatter (Illegal settler), etc. “Israelis” see Christianity the enemy – not Christian Zionism. “Israelis” see Christian Zionism as allies in the rape, torture, kill, destroy Palestine.
Fire US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott immediately. He doesn’t represent what We The People want.
It’s time to clean house once and for all. Any person who supports ” Israel ” , has to go. Strip them of their titles, denounce them, sanction them.
This place called Israel that occupies the holy Land should not be allowed to continue to exist absolutely no one should support it