In an unprecedented development, a flotilla ship neared Gaza’s coast while Israel launched a sweeping naval operation, arresting hundreds of activists and redirecting seized vessels to Ashdod.
For the first time in the history of attempts to break the siege on Gaza, one of the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) reportedly entered Gaza’s territorial waters.
One of the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) reportedly crossed into Gaza’s territorial waters before its tracking signal was lost about 9.3 nautical miles from shore, the Anadolu news agency reported.
Organizers said it is not yet clear whether the ship was attacked and towed by Israeli forces, evaded interception, or whether the tracker malfunctioned.
The international aid flotilla, carrying parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, and activists from more than 45 countries, came under Israeli naval attack on Wednesday night. Organizers confirmed on Thursday that 223 participants had been detained as Israeli forces seized several of the 44 participating ships.
Al-Jazeera correspondent Hassan Masoud, reporting from aboard the Shireen Abu Akleh, confirmed that the vessel Mekino (Albera) was the ship that reached Gaza waters before contact was lost for more than seven hours. Masoud described the development as unprecedented, noting that no previous flotilla attempting to break the siege had managed to come this close to Gaza’s shores.
| #GSFupdate CNN TÜRK is reporting the 'Mikeno' entered Gaza's territorial waters
Other flotilla passengers are heard over the livestream, say, "the Mikeno is 9 miles away from Gaza shore."
The live tracker displays Mikeno's current status is sailing.#GlobalSumudFlotilla pic.twitter.com/EK4IFeTw2Z
— Henah🇵🇸#FreePalestine🇵🇰#امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور (@Hena201) October 2, 2025
At least 13 ships were taken under Israeli naval control and redirected toward Ashdod, according to a flotilla spokesman. Organizers accused Israeli forces of “hostile behavior,” including deliberately ramming the Florida and striking the Yulara, Metic, and other boats with water cannons.
Israel’s Channel 13 reported that six ships had been seized so far and that the operation would continue until Thursday, after which activists would be deported. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority also confirmed that naval forces had boarded several flotilla vessels and begun seizing control.
Among those detained were passengers aboard the Sirius, including Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Hayat al-Yamani. Another ship, the Anas al-Shareef, carrying journalist Lotfi Haji and cameraman Anis al-Abbasi, managed to sail for 12 hours after the initial interception before being stopped 40 miles from Gaza early Thursday morning. Armed Israeli forces boarded the vessel and confiscated its camera equipment.
Global Sumud Flotilla Intercepted: Israeli Forces Board Aid Ships Bound for Gaza
Masoud added that about 20 ships were still pressing toward Gaza on Thursday morning, some disabling their tracking devices to avoid detection.
Tracking data showed several vessels as close as 30 nautical miles offshore, with three reported only 24 miles away.
The Israeli operation began Wednesday night after approximately 20 warships surrounded the flotilla and jammed communications between its vessels. The dispersal forced many ships to proceed individually. Organizers reiterated that the convoy would not abandon its mission despite Israeli threats and repeated calls from European governments to halt its advance.
The Israeli Navy has vowed to continue intercepting the flotilla throughout Thursday.
(PC, AJA, aa)
The flotilla sailing in INTERNATIONAL waters. The Mediterranean sea does not belong to zionist israel.
Israel is committing maritime illegal piracy to steal the flotilla boats.
And piracy is a crime coming under universal jurisdiction, meaning that anyone anywhere can consequently take any Israeli official to court for it. Piracy furthermore, was the basis for the legal attempts to stamp out terrorism – starting with the hijackings of the 1960s and 70s, etc, which were treated as an extension of piracy. So any of us readers can take any Israeli official to court for representing an unrepentant piratical state, based on this universal jurisdiction.