Sinking ships and confiscating vessels: Israel’s plan to intercept Gaza flotillas revealed
Those who refuse to board the ship, and be voluntarily deported, will be arrested.
Israel plans to intercept the vessels traveling to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) to deliver aid to the Palestinian enclave, according to a Channel 12 report published on Thursday.
The 45 vessels, currently traveling in Greek waters, is anticipated to reach Israeli territory in the coming days.
In the first phase, members of the Shayetet 13 unit will reportedly take over the ships.
Those who refuse to board the ship, and be voluntarily deported, will be arrested, according to the report.
Crew members work aboard Spain’s warship ‘Furor’, a military vessel set to join in a supporting role the Global Sumud Flotilla seeking to deliver aid to Gaza after it was attacked by drones off Greece, at the port of Cartagena, Spain September 25, 2025. (credit: SUSANA VERA/REUTERS)
Following the transfer of activists, the boats will reportedly be confiscated or sunk.
Attempts to negotiate with the flotilla activists
The potential complex naval conflict has led Israel to try to directly negotiate with the activists, offering to deliver the aid the ships are alleged to be carrying to Gaza if they dock in Ashkelon. The activists rejected the offer and announced their intentions to continue the voyage to Gaza.
Since rejecting the offer, the activists have claimed that Israel has targeted the vessels with drones and multiple nations have launched warships to guard them on their journey.
