[News] 'Israel' abducts, detains 443 Gaza flotilla activists, sparks rebuke

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-israel--abducts--detains-443-gaza-flotilla-activists--spark>
'Israel' abducts, detains 443 Gaza flotilla activists, sparks rebuke
Al Mayadeen English
October 2, 2025
------------------------------

World leaders rush to condemn "Israel's" seizure of the Global Sumud
Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

   - [image: IIsraeli navy soldiers sail one of the boats from the
   Gaza-bound civilian flotilla Sumud toward the port of Ashdod, Israel,
   Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 (AP)]
   <https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/10/2/61a0953d-d768-4752-a715-0abf52e2652d.jpg?width=1000>
   Israeli navy soldiers sail one of the boats from the Gaza-bound civilian
   Sumud Flotilla toward the port of Isdud, occupied Palestine, Thursday, Oct.
   2, 2025 (*AP*)

The Global Sumud Flotilla reported that Israeli occupation forces
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/global-sumud-flotilla-sets-sail-for-gaza-without-uk-protecti?utm_source=mango-searchx&utm_medium=title_and_relatives&utm_campaign=Sumud>
intercepted the "peaceful convoy's ships" in international waters and
subsequently abducted hundreds of volunteers.

According to the flotilla's report, more than 443 participants from 47
countries are now being detained illegally by Israeli authorities, after
the fleet was seized. It called for urgent international intervention to
ensure the safety of the volunteers detained by "Israel" and to secure
their immediate release.

In contrast, the Israeli occupation's Foreign Ministry stated that "none of
the ships in the Gaza aid flotilla succeeded in their attempt to reach the
sector," adding that "only one ship remains at a distance, and if it
attempts to violate the Gaza blockade, it will be intercepted as well."

The Foreign Ministry claimed that the flotilla participants are in good
condition and are being taken to Israeli ports for deportation to Europe.
World leaders condemn 'Israel's' piracy, abductions

The hijacking of the Global Sumud Flotilla ships, which were meant to
deliver life-saving aid to Gaza after more than 7 months of a brutal
Israeli siege that has led to an engineered famine in the territory, has
led to a diplomatic and public outcry.

While "Israel's" action against the flotilla has sparked global popular
outrage, with demonstrations, protests, and strikes being announced in
numerous countries, it has instigated condemnations by world leaders and
representatives
Flotilla seizure exposes the 'criminal face' of Netanyahu, Israeli
government: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday condemned Israel's "act
of piracy" against the global Sumud humanitarian flotilla en route to Gaza
to deliver aid to "oppressed Palestinians".

"Israel's" attack on civilians in international waters proves that "the
genocide apparatus is in a state of frenzy to conceal its crimes in Gaza,"
Erdogan said during his address at the Justice and Development (AK) Party
provincial heads meeting.

"The genocidal Netanyahu government cannot tolerate even the slightest
chance for peace to take hold," Erdogan further said.

"Global Sumud Flotilla has once again shown the world the brutality in Gaza
and Israel’s murderous face," he added.

"We will not abandon our Palestinian brothers and sisters and will work
with all our might to secure a ceasefire and restore peace," he vowed.

Turkish authorities are monitoring the developments and taking measures to
ensure that citizens aboard the flotilla are not harmed, Erdogan stressed.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it is
closely monitoring the situation of its citizens who were aboard the ships
that were raided by Israeli forces
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/mass-demonstrations-after-israeli-occupation-attacks-sumud-f>
while en route to the Gaza Strip.
Arab, Asian countries emphasize safety of activists aboard flotilla

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah al-Yahya also stressed that his country
is exerting all possible efforts to ensure the safety and secure release of
its citizens who are among the Sumud Flotilla, while confirming that he is
closely monitoring developments.

The Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman, Sheikh Ahmad al-Khalili, declared
that the Israeli entity's assault on the Sumud Flotilla necessitates a
concerted effort from the free world to curb this brutal seizure, noting
that the responsibility on the Arab-Islamic world has multiplied.

He described the Israeli raid on the flotilla as a transgression on service
for the sake of humanity.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry, on the other hand, published a statement
saying that it "emphasizes the importance of the safety of the participants
in the flotilla heading toward Gaza and their immediate release from
captivity."
Malaysian PM vows to hold 'Israel' accountable

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has aligned himself with the global
condemnation
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/entire-fleet-heading-to-gaza-to-break-siege--sumud-flotilla>,
joining protests against "Israel" seizing the Gaza-bound Global Sumud
Flotilla, a vessel which included at least eight Malaysian nationals among
its participants.

“I condemn in the strongest terms "Israel’s" interception of the Global
Sumud Flotilla. These vessels carried unarmed civilians and life-saving
humanitarian supplies for Gaza, yet they were met with intimidation and
coercion,” the Malaysian PM stated on Thursday.

He said his country will use all available means to hold the occupation
accountable for its detention of the Malaysian nationals aboard the ships.

"This is very disheartening – that a peaceful humanitarian aid for Gaza was
not allowed. What’s even more painful is that the world is just watching.
We are allowing Israel to carry out this aggressive action," PM Anwar added.
Europe concerned over 'Israel's' actions

Additionally, the UK Foreign Office expressed deep concern over "Israel's"
seizure of the aid flotilla
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/spain-to-dispatch-humanitarian-vessel-to-support-gaza-sumud?utm_source=mango-searchx&utm_medium=title_and_relatives&utm_campaign=Sumud>
 bound for Gaza, stating it has told Israeli authorities that a safe
resolution to the situation is essential.

The Ministry clarified in a statement that it is in contact with the
families of several British citizens participating in the flotilla,
emphasizing that the humanitarian aid carried by the flotilla must be
handed over to international organizations on the ground to ensure its safe
delivery to Gaza.

On his part, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that
"Israel" has detained
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/italian-unions-announce-strike-on-oct--3-over-gaza-flotilla>
22
Italians who were part of the Sumud Flotilla, confirming that they will be
deported to their country within days.

In a statement published on Thursday, the German Foreign Ministry
called on "Israel"
to treat those aboard
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/italian-union-declares-general-strike-over-attack-on-gaza-ai>
the
boats headed for Gaza well and in a proportionate manner.
Latin America stands against 'Israel's actions

Mexico’s Foreign Ministry issued a demand for the rights of its citizens
aboard the flotilla to be respected, while the Brazilian government
implored "Israel" to immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/greta-thunberg-arrested-as--israel--intercepts-gaza-aid-flot>
on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
South Africa describes seizue as a 'crime against international solidarity'

Meanwhile, in the African continent, South African President Cyril
Ramaphosa stated on Thursday that "Israel's" interception of the Gaza-bound
Global Sumud Flotilla constitutes a "serious crime"
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/petro-expels-israeli-diplomats--ends-free-trade-amid-israeli>
against
"global solidarity and the humanitarian sentiments aimed at alleviating the
suffering" in the territory.

In his statement, Ramaphosa called on the Israeli authorities to
immediately release the South African citizens and all others who were
aboard the flotilla, including Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, the grandson of
the late leader Nelson Mandela.
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