Israeli occupation forces have reportedly mistreated participants of the "Global Fleet of Steadfastness" after arresting them in international waters near the Greek island of Crete. This alleged mistreatment has drawn significant international attention and condemnation. The fleet, which saw rapid developments and was heading from Turkey to the Gaza Strip, led to widespread anger following the seizure of dozens of participating boats and the arrest of hundreds of activists, including 7 Algerians. These events unfolded as the vessels attempted to breach a naval blockade imposed on the Palestinian enclave.
On Monday morning, May 18, the Israeli occupation army announced it had taken control of the Global Fleet of Steadfastness, arresting approximately 100 activists onboard. The operation occurred in international waters, far from Israeli territorial claims, raising questions about the legality of the intervention. According to Hebrew media reports, occupation navy units approached the fleet in international waters near Cyprus, demanding the ships stop their engines before initiating the detention process. The arrested activists, numbering around 100, were subsequently transferred to military ships for either deportation to Ashdod port or detention in a "floating prison." The precise conditions of their transfer and initial detention have become a point of contention and concern among human rights advocates.
Seizure and Arrests
The Hebrew website "Walla" quoted a source from the occupation army on Tuesday, stating that over 40 boats heading to the Gaza Strip to break the siege were seized, and 300 activists were arrested. This figure suggests a significantly larger operation than initially reported, encompassing a broader range of vessels and individuals. The same source reported that occupation forces had not yet controlled all the fleet's boats, with others remaining in the Mediterranean Sea, indicating an ongoing and complex maritime situation. Fleet organizers, providing their own account of the events, stated that occupation forces intercepted 41 boats in the eastern Mediterranean, while 10 boats were still sailing towards the Strip, determined to continue their mission.
The boat closest to Gaza, named Sirius, was approximately 145 nautical miles away at the time of the reported incidents, noting the considerable distance from the coast where these events transpired. Among those seized, the ship "Josef" carrying activist Amor Abdelkader was pirated, according to reports from the fleet organizers. This term, "pirated," shows the organizers' view of the Israeli forces' actions as illegal and unauthorized. The ship "Sadabad" carrying activist Boukhari Chamseddine was also pirated, further illustrating the scope of the interceptions. Additionally, the vessel "Amanda," which had activist Bourouba Abdelkader on board, was pirated by Israeli forces. The ship "Themis," carrying activists Taybi Mohamed Kheir Eddine and Harkati Mohamed Charaf Eddine, was likewise pirated, adding to the growing list of intercepted vessels. The vessel "Holy Blue," with Walid Hamza and Baza Anwar onboard, was also pirated, demonstrating the systematic nature of the Israeli operation against the entire fleet.
The fleet departed from Marmaris, Turkey, comprising approximately 54 ships carrying a diverse group of participants, including doctors, lawyers, and activists from over 70 countries. This international composition shows the global nature of the protest against the Gaza blockade. A video showed Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev standing on the dock of Ashdod port, with naval vessels and cargo ships visible in the background, amidst extensive security measures for detaining and inspecting the fleet's boats. Her presence at the port signaled the Israeli government's direct involvement and oversight of the operation.
Israeli Justifications and Claims
Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev described the activists onboard the "Fleet of Steadfastness" as "saboteurs and anarchists." This strong rhetoric aimed to delegitimize the humanitarian mission and portray the participants as hostile actors. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Tel Aviv would not permit any breach of the naval blockade on Gaza, reinforcing its long-standing policy regarding the enclave. The Ministry called on all participants to change course and return immediately, issuing warnings that went unheeded by the determined activists.
The Ministry further described the fleet's attempt to break the blockade as a "provocation." It claimed the action served Hamas and diverted attention from progress on peace plans, attempting to frame the humanitarian mission as a politically motivated maneuver. The Ministry also asserted that Gaza is "drowning in aid," claiming more than 1.58 million tons of humanitarian aid and thousands of tons of medical supplies have entered Gaza since October 2025. This statement was intended to counter the narrative that Gaza is suffering from a humanitarian crisis due to the blockade, although the timeline of "October 2025" for past aid delivery raised questions about the accuracy of the claim.
International Condemnation and Activist Stance
Other videos depicted the mistreatment of Fleet of Steadfastness activists in Ashdod by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after one participant chanted "Free Palestine." These videos circulated widely, fueling public outrage and international criticism of the Israeli forces' conduct. Ben-Gvir subsequently demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allow him to detain the activists in prisons for a period, indicating a desire for punitive measures beyond immediate deportation. His public statements and actions further inflamed tensions surrounding the incident.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the intervention to obstruct the "travelers of hope," using poignant language to describe the activists' intentions. President Erdoğan further called on the international community to act against Israel's actions following the incident, urging a collective response to what he viewed as a violation of international law and humanitarian principles. This call for international action noted the diplomatic fallout from the Israeli operation.
The organizers of the fleet, in response to the Israeli actions, emphasized their mission was humanitarian and peaceful. They stated that any Israeli interception would be legally documented for international courts, signaling their intent to pursue legal avenues to challenge the actions of the Israeli forces. This proactive stance showed their commitment to accountability. Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the National Initiative movement, condemned the occupation forces' attack on the fleet. Dr. Barghouti characterized the incident as a violation of human rights and international law, echoing the sentiments of many international observers and human rights organizations. The ongoing dispute over the "Global Fleet of Steadfastness" continues to draw scrutiny to the Israeli blockade of Gaza and the methods employed to enforce it.
