• Israel’s attacks on humanitarian sea missions aiming to reach Gaza go back more than a decade, with at least 8 previous flotillas intercepted or attacked-
• Israel’s interception of the Sumud Flotilla on the high seas and/or within Palestine’s territorial waters off the coast of Gaza violates international law,' says legal scholar Sergey Vasiliev
• This flotilla, like its predecessors, poses no threat to Israel,' Vasiliev tells Anadolu

ISTANBUL

Israeli naval forces this week launched a new wave of attacks on a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, marking yet another episode in a long history of maritime assaults aimed at breaking Israel’s illegal blockade.

On Thursday, Israeli forces attacked 21 vessels of the Global Sumud aid flotilla, detaining at least 317 activists who were on board, organizers said.

Passengers aboard the ships included citizens from Spain, Italy, Brazil, Türkiye, Greece, the United States, Germany, Sweden, the UK, France, and many others.

Israel said that the detained activists were taken to Israel's Ashdod Port, from which they will be deported to Europe.

The flotilla, made up of about 50 ships with over 500 activists onboard, set sail at the end of August carrying baby food, medical supplies, and other humanitarian aid for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Since 2009, Israel has illegally intercepted and attacked all flotillas attempting to break its 18-year siege on Gaza, which was further tightened in March when Israel closed border crossings and blocked food and medicine deliveries, pushing the enclave into famine and starvation.

Israel’s attacks on humanitarian sea missions aiming to reach Gaza go back more than a decade, with at least eight previous flotillas intercepted or attacked.  

Spirit of Humanity

On June 29, 2009, the Israeli navy intercepted the Spirit of Humanity, a vessel operated by the Free Gaza Movement, some 20 nautical miles off the Gaza coast.

The boat, which departed from Larnaca in the Greek Cypriot Administration, was carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies, with 21 passengers onboard.

Surrounded by Israeli gunboats, which threatened to open fire, it was seized and escorted to Ashdod, where all the passengers were detained.  

Mavi Marmara

One of the most high-profile Israeli attacks on humanitarian attempts to break the blockade came on May 31, 2010, when Israeli forces stormed Turkish ship the Mavi Marmara as it was sailing in international waters toward Gaza.

The raid resulted in the deaths of 10 activists and injuries to more than 50 people. The vessel was part of a larger flotilla of eight ships carrying about 750 people from 37 countries and 10,000 tons of aid.

Severely straining Türkiye-Israeli relations, the attack prompted Ankara to demand an official apology, compensation, and an end to the blockade.  

Tahrir and MV Saoirse

In November 2011, Israeli naval forces intercepted two vessels, the Canadian Tahrir and Irish MV Saoirse, in international waters about 50 nautical miles from Gaza.

Sailing under the “Freedom Waves to Gaza” banner, the boats carried activists seeking to break the blockade.

All the passengers were detained and later deported.  

Marianne

In June 2015, the Swedish vessel Marianne was intercepted by Israeli forces around 100 nautical miles from Gaza.

The vessel was part of the Freedom Flotilla III, which carried 48 rights activists and journalists.

Most of the participants were detained in Israel’s Givon Prison before being released.

The Marianne was taken to the Port of Ashdod, while the other three ships in the group were turned back.  

Al-Awda and Freedom

In summer 2018, two boats, the Al-Awda and the Freedom, tried to protest the blockade.

On July 29 and Aug. 3, they were intercepted and seized during another Freedom Flotilla mission.

 The ships were stopped in international waters, and activists on board reported being beaten during the seizure.  

Conscience

On May 2, 2025, Freedom Flotilla Coalition boat the Conscience was struck by drones in international waters off Malta while en route to Gaza.

The coalition, which operated the vessel, accused Israel of carrying out the attack. In a statement, the group said: “Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters.”

The Maltese government said 16 people — 12 crew members and four civilians — were onboard.   

Madleen

The Madleen, an 18-meter vessel part of a mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was intercepted by Israeli naval forces in international waters on June 9, 2025.

Less than 100 nautical miles from Gaza, all 12 people on board – including 11 international activists and a journalist – were detained, and the boat was towed to Israel’s Port of Ashdod.

The Madleen was carrying several hundred kilograms of flour, rice, baby formula, and medical and sanitary essentials for the Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip.  

Handala

On July 26, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Handala aid ship as it neared Gaza’s shores.

It detained all 21 activists onboard, and escorted it to Ashdod.

The vessel had reached about 70 nautical miles from Gaza, surpassing the distance covered by the Madleen, which made it 110 miles before it was stopped.  

Israel's attacks violate international law

Legal scholar Sergey Vasiliev said Israel’s attacks on aid flotillas are unlawful and violate international law.

"Israel’s interception of the Sumud Flotilla on the high seas and/or within Palestine’s territorial waters off the coast of Gaza violates international law," Vasiliev, a professor of international law at the Open University in the Netherlands, told Anadolu.

Vasiliev also said the long-term belligerent naval blockade of Gaza is unlawful.

"This blockade serves no purpose other than to starve the civilian population and deprive it of objects indispensable for survival, in violation of the Geneva Conventions Article 54 of Additional Protocol I and customary international law," he said, adding that it causes disproportionate harm to civilians in Gaza.

The current Global Sumud Flotilla, like its predecessors, poses no threat to Israel, he said.

"It is a purely civilian initiative with no intention or capacity to engage Israeli forces militarily; its sole purpose is to deliver humanitarian aid. The delivery of relief may not lawfully be prevented by a naval blockade."

He argued that interception of vessels and the arbitrary denial of passage, coupled with harassment, detention, or abduction of activists on board, are incompatible with Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate humanitarian assistance and the applicable regulations on naval blockades.

"The interception of foreign-flagged ships carrying humanitarian aid in this context constitutes interference with the flag states' sovereignty and amounts to an unlawful use of force against them. The relevant flag states may seek to enforce their rights under international law," said Vasiliev.