Pressure mounts on Israel for 'abducting' pro-Palestine activists
This video grab taken from a livestream broadcasted on October 2, 2025 by the Global Sumud Flotilla shows Israeli navy soldiers (up) boarding the vessel 'Oxygono', one of the Sumud flotilla boats, aiming at breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel said on October 2, 2025 it will deport pro-Palestinian activists on an aid flotilla intercepted at sea as they headed towards Gaza, adding that none of the vessels had successfully breached its maritime blockade. According to Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, 39 of the around 45 ships have been intercepted and were headed to the Israeli port city of Ashdod, according to state broadcaster ERT.
Image: Handout / Global Sumud Flotilla / AFP
ISRAEL'S interception of pro-Palestinian activists, including Nelson Mandela's grandson and at least five other South Africans onboard the Global Sumud Flotilla of around 45 vessels, violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded in Gaza, says the South African government.
The Israeli navy began intercepting vessels on Wednesday after warning the activists against entering waters it says fall under its blockade.
"I call on Israel to immediately release the South Africans abducted in international waters, and to release other nationals who have tried to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid," President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement.
"The interception of the flotilla in international waters is contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla," he said.
By Thursday, of the roughly 45 ships, more than 30 had been intercepted or were assumed to have been intercepted, according to the flotilla's tracking system.
Flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek said the vessels that had not been intercepted were determined to continue.
Israel's foreign ministry said the intercepted activists, who also include Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, were being transferred to an Israeli port and would be deported to Europe.
"None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade," Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement.
"One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented."
According to Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, all passengers were in good health. “No violence has been exercised," Gerapetritis said.
The Greek organisers of the flotilla announced that 11 Greeks who were on the vessels were on hunger strike to protest against their "illegal detention by the Israeli authorities".
Israel said the activists would be deported to Europe, without specifying which countries they would be sent to.
"Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin," the foreign ministry said on X, posting photos of Thunberg and other activists aboard a boat.
Rights group Amnesty International criticised Israel for blocking the flotilla, saying it was an "act of intimidation intended to punish and silence critics of Israel's genocide and its unlawful blockade on Gaza".
Spain's public prosecutor also launched an investigation into the interception, examining potential human rights violations that could constitute crimes against humanity.