Israel declares flotilla mission over with one final boat remaining at a distance

The Israeli government has declared their mission to intercept the Global Sumud Flotilla over, stating that one final vessel from "this provocation" remains at a distance.

It warned that if the vessel approaches, it too will be prevented from entering the active combat zone, as was the case with the other boats.

"The Hamas-Sumud provocation is over," the Israeli foreign ministry posted on X. 

"None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade," the statement continued. 

The ministry added that all passengers are "safe and in good health."

"They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe," it added.

Sources close to the Israeli government told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that the detained passengers were expected to arrive at port around 1:00pm.

Overnight mission

The Israeli army intercepted most of the boats that formed part of the humanitarian mission to bring aid to Gaza between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.

Israeli naval forces boarded vessels throughout the night, including boats carrying the former mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau, CUP MP Pilar Castillejo and climate activist Greta Thunberg.

According to the flotilla, at least one vessel – the Mikeno – entered Israeli waters and was 9.3 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. The ship was detected on the radar of the Abu Aqla.

The operation began on Wednesday evening, when the group of forty vessels were about 70 nautical miles from Gaza, in international waters, according to the activists.

Israel claims this was within the exclusion zone set by the Israeli navy.

The flotilla denounced what it called an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians in international waters, and called on governments, world leaders, and international institutions to ensure the safety of the vessels.

Israel to deport activists

The Israeli government said the arrests were carried out safely and that the members of the flotilla are in good health.

In a message posted on X on Thursday morning, the Israeli foreign ministry wrote: "Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health."

The Israeli government released images of some of the activists, including a photo featuring Greta Thunberg.

Barcelona protest

Hundreds of supporters of the flotilla gathered outside the Israeli consulate in Barcelona on Wednesday night, calling on Israel to release the activists. 

Former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, on board the Sirius, recorded a video saying that she had "been illegally detained by Israel, and that she does not have access to a phone nor internet."

After the flotilla was intercepted, Catalan president Salvador Illa urged the Israeli government to respect international law as well as the "basic rights of the members of the flotilla, starting with their personal safety."

Illa expressed on X his "concern" after the news of the interception started to appear, and said that the boats were heading to Gaza "with the peaceful goal of setting up a humanitarian aid corridor."