Gaza flotilla – live: Greta Thunberg’s aid vessel boarded by military, claim activists – UK Times

A crew member has said her boat has been intercepted in a pre-recorded video posted on social media.

“If you’re seeing this video, it means I have been kidnapped by the Zionist regime and that our boat was intercepted,” singer Leila Hegazy wrote.

“Pressure your governments to end their complicity in the g-cide of the Palestinian people and to make sure that all humanitarians on this mission return safe to our families.”

The Sirius vessel, which forms part of the flotilla, has been intercepted by Israeli naval forces, the group has claimed.

In a post on Instagram it wrote: “On Oct 1, 2025, Israeli naval forces illegally intercepted and boarded the Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessel Sirius along with other boats in international waters.

“Live-streams and communications have been cut. The status of participants and crew remains unconfirmed.

“This is an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians. We call on governments and international institutions to demand their immediate safety and release.”

Activists on board the Captain Nikos were pictured waving at a livestream camera as they prepared for possible interception by Israeli forces.

A number of the cameras on board the some 40 boats are still functioning, but streaming appears to have been cut off on others.

Ewa Jasiewicz, a British-Polish activist on board the All In vessel, has told The Independent’s Alex Croft that three military vessels have intercepted the flotilla.

“There are three military vessels inside the flotilla, without light,” she wrote in a message.

“One is shining a beam onto boats to identify size. They seem to be targeting and commandeering larger boats first”.

Military personnel have boarded vessels that form part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, the group posted on Instagram.

“High alert. Our vessels are being illegally intercepted,” they wrote.

“Cameras are offline and vessels have been boarded by military personnel. We are actively working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board.”

The Israeli navy has reportedly issued a warning to the flotilla, telling it to provide aid “through the established channels”.

In a post on X, Israel’s foreign ministry wrote the purpose of the mission was “not aid” but “provocation”.

“Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade,” it wrote.

“Israel reiterated the offer to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza.”

Italy’s foreign minister has said Israel’s armed forces assured him violence would not be used against the members of the flotilla.

“The boarding was planned, we are talking about it … with Minister Saar so that there would be no violent actions on the part of the Tel Aviv armed forces, and this has been assured to me,” Antonio Tajani said to Italian TV broadcaster Rai.

“We instructed our embassy in Tel Aviv and the consulate in Jerusalem to assist all Italians who will probably be taken to Ashdod, but then will be expelled,” he added.

It comes after the country said it would stop providing assistance the aid mission on Tuesday.

Some 20 unidentified vessels were seen approaching the international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza on Wednesday night, multiple people on board said, as passengers put on life vests and braced for a takeover.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which consists of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, is trying to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza with medicine and food, despite repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.

It is now within 90 nautical miles of the war-ravaged Strip.

The flotilla organisers said in a statement that they had detected at least 20 vessels on their radar about 3 nautical miles ahead of the fleet.

“This may signal a potential naval blockade. But let it be clear: we will not be intimidated by threats, harassment, or efforts to protect Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza,” it said.

It is not clear who is operating the vessels. Israeli officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A live video feed from one of the boats in the flotilla showed passengers in life vests sitting in a circle on deck.

“They are already coming for us. Two dozen vessels are waiting for us,” Jose Luis Ybot, a passenger on the flotilla, said in a video posted on social media.

A live stream of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessels shows the boats approaching what they believe to be a military blockade near Gaza.

The stream has been cut off on a number of the vessels. On others, bright lights can be seen surrounding the boat through its windows.

A live tracker shows the Global Sumud Flotilla approaching Gaza.

The group has said it expects to be intercepted by Israeli military vessels within the next 45 minutes.