Israeli military intercepts Gaza-bound aid vessel off Greek coast
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Tamara Turki
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Wed, 04/29/2026 - 23:20
Activists say Israeli-identified speedboats approached, aiming lasers and semi-automatic weapons, and ordered them onto their knees
Pro-Palestinian activists wave onboard a boat of a new humanitarian flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip making a symbolic leave from Barcelona's Port Vell on 12 April, 2026. (File/AFP)
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Organisers of a humanitarian aid mission bound for Gaza say one of their vessels has been approached by apparent Israeli speedboats near the coast of Greece.
“Our boats were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as ‘Israel’, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees,” the Global Sumud Flotilla aid mission said in a statement
“Boat communications are being jammed and a SOS was issued.”
Israel Army Radio cited an Israeli source as saying that Israel had begun seizing control of aid ships heading towards Gaza well before they reached Israeli territorial waters.
Activists on board, who say they are seeking to break Israel’s blockade, have been posting updates in real time on Instagram, while a live tracker on the flotilla’s website continues to follow the movements of the vessels.
“We have a very large military vessel very, very close to us, shining a bright light… we’re all sat in the cockpit with our hands up waiting for interception,” Alice Chapman said in a video.
Chapman added that those on board feared an imminent boarding, preparing to discard their phones while attempting to create distance as the vessel briefly pulled away.
This is a developing story.
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