AMMAN — The Flotilla of Steadfastness, “Sumud” launched with vessels carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza, has been intercepted by Israeli naval forces in international waters, sparking international outcry and renewed debate over the legality of Israel’s long-standing blockade. The confrontation took place some 70 to 100 nautical miles off the coast, well beyond Israel’s recognised maritime borders.

 

Activists on board said their mission was entirely peaceful, aimed at breaking the 18-year siege imposed on the territory. Israel, however, described the area as a “combat zone” and insisted it would not permit any ship to reach Gaza under any circumstances. Foreign Minister Gidon Saar declared: “Israel will not allow unauthorised vessels to enter a combat zone.”

 

Israel’s public broadcaster later reported that the seized ships would be towed to the port of Ashdod, and even suggested some could be sunk at sea to enforce the blockade.

 

In a viral video, German activist Yasmin Ajar, who was travelling on the vessel Madeline, described the episode as an abduction in international waters. “We were forced to sign papers claiming we had entered Israel illegally,” she said. “But the truth is we were kidnapped 100 nautical miles from Israeli territory. Our destination was Gaza, an occupied territory. This is a violation of international law. We did not go to Israel…we came for the truth, and we will stay with the truth.”

 

Tiago Avila, a Portuguese member of the Flotilla of Sumud, underlined the peaceful nature of the mission. “Our mission is humanitarian, non-violent, one of solidarity, to break the illegal siege on the Palestinian people,” he said. “We carry only food, water filters and baby formula. We want to create a humanitarian corridor.”

 

In another video that quickly went viral, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said she too had been taken against her will. “I have been abducted by the Israeli military,” she declared. “Our humanitarian mission was non-violent and fully consistent with international law.”

 

On his Instagram story, Kuwaiti surgeon Mohamed Jamal, also on board, echoed those concerns. “Doctors are being kidnapped because we are bringing formula and food,” he said.

 

According to international news outlets, one vessel which lost signal before reappearing inside Gaza’s territorial waters, was about 9.3 miles from the coast on Thursday morning, heightening fears for those on board.

 

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, ships in international waters enjoy freedom of navigation, and Israel has no authority to board them.

 

According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, if a ship is beyond 12 nautical miles from any coastline, it is in international waters. This means they have the right to sail freely, and only the country whose flag is on their ship, has legal authority over them.

 

For now, the vessels of the Flotilla of Steadfastness remain under Israeli control, with activists expected to face detention and deportation. Yet the organisers vowed to persist. As Avila put it: “We came for justice. We came for humanity. We will not stop until Gaza is free.”