Israeli navy storms Gaza-bound flotilla, Greta Thunberg and global activists detained

Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, detaining Greta Thunberg, Pakistani politician Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, and activists from 44 nations, sparking global outrage over Israel’s naval blockade and humanitarian aid restrictions.

WEBDESK, MediaBites: October 2, 2025

In a dramatic escalation at sea, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla late Thursday night, detaining hundreds of international activists, including Swedish climate icon Greta Thunberg and Pakistani politician Mushtaq Ahmad Khan.

The flotilla, a fleet of nearly 50 vessels carrying around 500 passengers from 44 countries, had set sail from Barcelona with the mission of breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid. Among those on board were parliamentarians, lawyers, medical professionals, human rights defenders, and well-known public figures.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of “active aggression” as Israeli warships surrounded the boats, shining blinding lights, blasting water cannons, and ramming smaller vessels before boarding them. “Our ship was deliberately rammed; others were drenched with high-pressure water,” the flotilla organisers said in a statement, describing the assault as “state piracy.”

The boat carrying Greta Thunberg was among the first to be stormed. Footage released by Israel’s foreign ministry appeared to show the 22-year-old activist being led away by soldiers. The ministry later confirmed: “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”

Adding to the shockwaves in Pakistan, reports confirmed that Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a prominent voice for Palestinian rights, was also arrested during the operation. His detention has sparked outrage back home, where calls are already growing for the Pakistani government to demand his immediate release.

Israel claims the blockade is legal and accused the flotilla of having links to Hamas, an allegation strongly denied by organisers and activists, who insist the mission was purely humanitarian. Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned the raid as “an act of terrorism in international waters,” calling it a blatant violation of international law.

As the detainees are transferred to Israel’s Ashdod port, they face deportation orders. Those refusing will likely appear before an Israeli tribunal. Meanwhile, families of activists say communications have been jammed and fear for the safety of their loved ones.

What began as a symbolic humanitarian voyage has now become a global flashpoint — with Greta Thunberg, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, and hundreds of others at the center of a storm over Gaza’s blockade.