VIDEO: Global Sumud Flotilla accuses 'Israel' of abducting 443 of its activists

The Global Sumud Flotilla has accused the Israeli Occupation of unlawfully intercepting dozens of civilian aid vessels in international waters, detaining hundreds of passengers and preventing desperately needed supplies from reaching Gaza.

According to the flotilla’s organizers, naval units used water cannons, skunk water, and electronic jamming to disable communications before forcing volunteers off their ships. The activists, representing 47 countries, were reportedly transferred to the MSC Johannesburg, a naval vessel, and their whereabouts remain unclear.

Lawyers from Adalah, a human rights organization representing the detainees, said they have received “minimal updates” and are still waiting to confirm whether the estimated 443 volunteers will be taken to Ashdod port for processing.

“This is an unlawful abduction, in direct violation of international law and basic human rights,” the flotilla said in its statement. “Intercepting humanitarian vessels in international waters is a war crime; denying legal counsel and concealing the fate of those seized compounds that crime.”

Organizers also alleged that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) deployed a “chain-like barrier” to block several boats in international waters, a tactic they said further underscored 'Israel’s' lack of jurisdiction outside its own territorial boundaries and over Gaza’s coast.

The flotilla emphasized that its mission was peaceful and humanitarian in nature, carrying food, baby formula, medicine, and civilian volunteers determined to break what they called 'Israel’s' “illegal siege” on Gaza.

The group called on world governments and international institutions to intervene urgently, demanding guarantees of the detainees’ safety and their immediate release.

Despite the large-scale crackdown, some vessels reportedly remain active. Mikeno, sailing under a French flag, was last tracked near Palestinian territorial waters but has since lost contact. Another ship, Marinette, under a Polish flag with six passengers on board, remains in communication via Starlink.

A lengthy list of seized or missing vessels was published, including ships sailing under Polish, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, British, Algerian, German, and other flags. Among them were the Florida, Oxygono, Grande Blu, Deir Yassine, Aurora, Adagio, and Ahed Tamimi.

“The repression against our flotilla, like the violence in Gaza itself, will not deter us,” the statement continued. “Every escalation only strengthens our resolve.”