Israeli naval forces intercepted a group of vessels attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the devastated Gaza Strip in international waters early Wednesday, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), marking the second such interception in less than a week.
The FFC, an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups, organizes civilian maritime missions aimed at challenging Israel’s blockade of Gaza and delivering essential supplies to Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
Among those aboard the flotilla was Bangladeshi activist and internationally renowned photographer Shahidul Alam, who was sailing with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
Prior to losing contact, Alam posted a video on Facebook in which he accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza with the backing of the United States and other Western powers.
“If you are seeing this video, we have been intercepted at sea and I have been kidnapped by the occupation forces of Israel,” Alam said.
“I appeal to all my comrades and friends to continue fighting for the freedom of Palestine.”
According to flotilla organizers, the vessels were seized approximately 222 kilometers from Gaza.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry later confirmed that the passengers and ships had been transferred to an Israeli port and were expected to be deported.
“Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X.
The incident follows a similar operation days earlier, in which Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, detaining over 450 activists and seizing approximately 40 vessels attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
In a statement, the FFC condemned the latest interception, describing it as an illegal act of aggression.
“Israeli forces hijacked the humanitarian fleet. Participants—humanitarians, doctors, and journalists from across the world—have been taken against their will and are being held in unknown conditions,” the coalition said.
“The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters. Our flotilla poses no harm.”
The coalition added that the seized vessels were carrying more than $110,000 worth of humanitarian supplies, including medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional aid intended for Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals.
According to Gaza authorities, more than 67,000 people have been killed and vast swathes of the enclave devastated by Israeli military operations since the October 7, 2023 campaign by Hamas.