Israeli military forces have begun intercepting vessels from the "Global Sumud Flotilla," an international convoy of ships attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, with organizers reporting that contact has been lost with several boats, including three from the Greek delegation. In a coordinated response, activists released pre-recorded video messages stating that if the videos were public, it meant Israeli forces had abducted them.
In a dramatic turn, the activists' pre-recorded videos were published on Thursday morning, prepared specifically in anticipation of their capture. According to the Greek newspaper Efymerida ton Syntakton, in a report titled «Αν βλέπετε αυτό το βίντεο, έχω απαχθεί από τις ισραηλινές δυνάμεις...» ("If you are watching this video, I have been abducted by Israeli forces…"), the participants deliver a stark message. "If you are watching this video, we have been abducted by the Israeli occupying forces," they state, urging citizens to pressure the Greek government, which they accuse of being "complicit in the genocide." The videos were designed to be released only after Israeli intervention was confirmed.
The Greek advocacy group "March to Gaza Greece" reported that it had lost contact with three ships early Thursday morning: the "Pavlos Fyssas" at 04:18, the "Vangelis Pissias" at 04:20, and the "Ahed Tamimi" at 05:55 local time. The group alleges that Israeli military personnel conducted raids, boarding the vessels to halt their progress. In a forceful statement, the organization called the Israeli operation an "act of piracy". It demanded that the Greek government "guarantee the safety of the crews and take every necessary action to protect the Greek citizens on board."
Responding to the events, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced via a social media post on X that the intercepted flotilla members were being safely transported to an Israeli port. The ministry confirmed that procedures would soon begin to deport the activists back to their countries of origin in Europe. This official account contrasts sharply with the activists' characterization of the event as an abduction on the high seas.
Despite the interceptions, the flotilla's mission is ongoing. According to the latest tracking data, at least one vessel, the "Mikeno," is believed to have successfully entered Gaza's territorial waters. However, Al Jazeera reports it is unclear if it has since been seized. Organizers remain defiant, stating that at least 23 other vessels in the convoy are still en route and have not yet been intercepted. In a message of resolve, the flotilla's leadership declared that their efforts to break the siege on Gaza "will continue unabated."