By Pesach Benson • April 30, 2026
Jerusalem, 30 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli naval forces intercepted more than 20 vessels carrying pro-Palestinian activists attempting to reach Gaza, bringing approximately 175 people to Israel for deportation, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
The convoy, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), consisted of more than 50 boats carrying around 1,000 participants. Online tracking data showed the vessels west of the Greek island of Crete when Israeli Forces moved to stop them — far earlier and farther from Gaza than in previous flotilla confrontations. Israeli officials said the operation was carried out overnight in international waters, far from Israel’s coastline, and ended without injuries or major confrontations.
“Approximately 175 activists from 20 boats of the ‘Sumud flotilla’ are making their way safely to Israel,” the ministry tweeted. The ministry also released video footage showing activists aboard Israeli vessels during the transfer. According to the Foreign Ministry, the 175 are being taken to the Port of Ashdod on naval vessels before deportation proceedings.
Dozens of additional vessels turned back toward Crete after receiving Israeli warnings not to approach Gaza.
Israeli officials described the flotilla as a publicity stunt and said some vessels carried little humanitarian aid. The Foreign Ministry released footage showing packages of condoms and a bag of what appeared to be white powder.
“This is the ‘medical aid’ found aboard the PR stunt flotilla: condoms and drugs,” the ministry tweeted.
Israeli officials said the navy would continue monitoring vessels in the area to prevent further attempts to breach the blockade.
Earlier Wednesday, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced sanctions targeting a crowdfunding campaign connected to the flotilla. Katz alleged the operation was linked to Hamas and accused organizers of using humanitarian claims as cover.
“The imposition of sanctions on the crowdfunding campaign constitutes a significant step in the effort to disrupt the flotilla’s sources of funding,” Katz said.
Under Israeli law, authorities can seize assets connected to designated terror organizations or activities deemed supportive of terrorism, including the 20 vessels
Documents found in Gaza and released in September by Israel’s Foreign Ministry traced direct Hamas involvement in organizing and financing the Sumud flotilla to break the Israeli blockade of the Strip.
Also on Wednesday, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said that more than 1.5 million tons of food has entered the Strip since October 10, 2025, when a ceasefire with Hamas took effect.
Israel and Egypt have maintained restrictions on Gaza to prevent weapons smuggling since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007. Since then, pro-Palestinian groups have periodically launched flotillas to challenge the blockade. In 2011, an independent UN inquiry into the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident criticized Israeli forces for using excessive force but upheld the blockade’s legality.
