The Israeli occupation army announced Monday the seizure of the Global Steadfastness Fleet, which was en route from Turkey to the Gaza Strip, and the arrest of 100 activists on board. The operation was initiated by the Israeli navy to intercept the fleet, which comprised dozens of ships and activists from multiple countries, as it aimed to breach the blockade on the Gaza Strip. The fleet had departed from Marmaris, Turkey, comprising approximately 54 ships. These vessels carried doctors, lawyers, and activists representing more than 70 countries. The Israeli occupation army's announcement on Monday confirmed the seizure of the Global Steadfastness Fleet and the arrest of the 100 activists on board.
Fleet's Mission and Interception Details
Commando units approached the Global Steadfastness Fleet in international waters near Cyprus, demanding the ships stop their engines before beginning a detention operation. This interception occurred in international waters, specifically near Cyprus. Israeli forces then proceeded to arrest approximately 100 activists on board the vessels. The fleet organizers emphasized their mission was humanitarian and peaceful, stating that any Israeli interception would be legally documented for use in international courts.
Following their arrest, the activists were transferred to military ships. Officials stated plans to deport the detainees to Ashdod port or hold them in what was described as a "floating prison." The fleet, which had departed from Turkey, was carrying doctors, lawyers, and activists from more than 70 countries, aiming to reach the Gaza Strip. The approximately 100 activists arrested were subsequently transferred to military ships, with the intention of either deporting them to Ashdod port or detaining them in a "floating prison."
Israel's Stance on Blockade
The Israeli navy initiated an operation to intercept the Global Steadfastness Fleet, which comprised dozens of ships and activists from multiple countries, as it aimed to breach the blockade on the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that "Tel Aviv will not allow any breach of the naval blockade imposed on Gaza, and called on all participants in the Global Steadfastness Fleet to change their course and return immediately." The Ministry reiterated its firm position against any attempts to circumvent the blockade.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the fleet's endeavor to break the blockade as a "provocation." It claimed these attempts "serve the Palestinian resistance movement 'Hamas', and to divert attention from its refusal to disarm, and hinder progress in the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump." The Ministry also asserted that the Security Council is the appropriate body for overseeing humanitarian services in Gaza, citing UN Security Council Resolution 2803, and labeled the Steadfastness Fleet a "propaganda show." Furthermore, the Foreign Ministry claimed the Gaza Strip is "drowning in aid," stating that over 1.58 million tons of humanitarian aid and thousands of tons of medical supplies have entered Gaza since October 2025. This figure, over 1.58 million tons of humanitarian aid and thousands of tons of medical supplies, was presented as evidence of sufficient aid reaching the territory.
Reactions and International Law
The Global Steadfastness Fleet was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near Cyprus. Organizers of the fleet maintained their mission was humanitarian and peaceful, stating that any Israeli interception would be legally documented for use in international courts. This documentation, they stated, would be key for potential proceedings in international legal forums. The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the fleet's attempt to breach the blockade on Gaza as a "provocation," asserting that such efforts "serve the Palestinian resistance movement 'Hamas', and to divert attention from its refusal to disarm, and hinder progress in the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump." The Ministry further stated that "The Security Council is the body responsible for overseeing humanitarian services in Gaza, under UN Security Council Resolution 2803, describing the Steadfastness Fleet as a 'propaganda show'." Additionally, the Israeli Foreign Ministry claimed that "The Gaza Strip is 'drowning in aid'," reporting that over 1.58 million tons of humanitarian aid and thousands of tons of medical supplies have entered Gaza since October 2025. This statistic was provided to counter claims of humanitarian crisis and to justify the ongoing blockade.
