On October 3 and 4, 2025, the waters off Gaza became the stage for a dramatic showdown as Israeli forces intercepted the last vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla—a convoy of 42 boats determined to break Israel’s long-standing sea blockade of Gaza. The final boat, the Marinette, was stopped in the early hours of Friday, capping off a two-day operation that saw Israeli navy commandos storming 41 other boats and detaining some 450 activists from more than 40 countries. Among those detained were prominent figures such as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, as reported by The Associated Press.
The flotilla, organized as the largest attempt yet to breach the blockade, carried a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid destined for the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave. Despite the activists’ intentions, none of the aid made it to Gaza, as the Israeli navy intercepted each vessel before it could reach shore. The Israeli authorities had repeatedly warned the activists that their mission would be stopped, and after the Marinette was boarded, that warning became a reality.
Reactions to the interceptions were swift and global. Across Europe and beyond, tens of thousands took to the streets in solidarity with the activists and to protest Israeli actions in Gaza. In Italy, the response was especially intense. On October 3, the country’s largest trade unions called for a one-day general strike, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of trains and several domestic flights. Many public and private schools closed their doors. According to organizers, more than 2 million people participated in nationwide demonstrations, though Italy’s Interior Ministry put the number at just under 400,000. The protests continued into Saturday, with massive crowds gathering in Rome for a fresh demonstration. Marchers, carrying Palestinian flags and banners, moved from Porta San Paolo to Porta San Giovanni, passing the iconic Colosseum and chanting “Free Palestine.”
As reported by ANSA, the Italian news agency, the protests in Rome were marked by the presence of flags belonging to Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as banners referencing “October 7 - Day of Palestinian Resistance.” This date alludes to the 2023 attack by Hamas and other extremists in southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people. The inclusion of such symbols and slogans underscored the deep divisions and charged atmosphere surrounding the Gaza conflict and the blockade.
Back in Israel, the detained activists were processed in the southern port city of Ashdod. The scene took on a political edge when Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, visited the site and confronted the activists. In a video that quickly circulated online, Ben-Gvir accused the flotilla participants of supporting terrorism and mocked their aid initiative. “You support terrorism,” he declared, standing over the activists as they sat cross-legged on the floor. According to The Associated Press, one person shouted back “Free Palestine,” though their identity was not clear from the footage.
Israel has long maintained that the blockade of Gaza is necessary for its security, particularly to prevent the smuggling of weapons to Hamas, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. The government also alleged that some flotilla members had links to Hamas, though, as The Associated Press noted, little evidence was provided to support these claims. The activists vehemently denied the accusations, insisting that their mission was strictly humanitarian and that the blockade itself is illegal under international law.
Among those detained were four Italian parliamentarians, who were swiftly deported back to Rome on October 4, making them some of the first to be flown out of Israel. Israel’s Foreign Ministry, posting on X (formerly Twitter), stated, “Israel is keen to end this procedure as quickly as possible.” Hundreds of police officers were deployed to Ashdod to handle the detentions, a task made even more complex as it coincided with Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar.
The flotilla’s journey was not without its moments of retreat. One vessel, the Summertime Jong, turned back to Cyprus’ Larnaca port on October 2, carrying 21 people. The boat’s captain, Palestinian Osama Qashoo, explained to The Associated Press that his mission was to support the rest of the convoy, and with the lead boats intercepted, he made the difficult decision to turn around. “The activists are on the right side of history by being on the side of the oppressed people,” Qashoo said. Another activist aboard the Summertime Jong, Malaysian Nadi Al-Nuri, emphasized their determination: “We will do this again and again and until we reach our end. And that is to stop the genocide and to liberate Palestine.”
The Israeli government did offer to bring the aid supplies ashore via ports outside Gaza and from there transfer them to the Palestinian coastal area. However, the activists rejected this proposal, arguing that Israel’s blockade is itself illegal and that accepting such terms would legitimize what they view as an unjust policy. According to organizers, the symbolic nature of the aid was less important than drawing international attention to the blockade and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The protests in Italy, sparked by the flotilla’s interception, were among the largest seen in Europe in recent years in support of the Palestinian cause. Demonstrators not only expressed solidarity with those detained but also called for a broader end to the war in Gaza. The marches, strikes, and public outcry reflected widespread frustration with the ongoing conflict and a desire for change. In several cities, protesters stormed railway stations, blocked roads, and clashed with police—further evidence of the deep passions the issue continues to stir.
As the activists begin their journey home—some already deported, others still awaiting their fate—the debate over the Gaza blockade and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict shows no sign of abating. For many, the flotilla’s interception has only heightened the sense of urgency and the call for international action. As one activist put it, the struggle will continue “until we reach our end.”
The events of October 2025 stand as a stark reminder of the complexities and human costs of the Gaza blockade, the determination of those who seek to challenge it, and the global reverberations of a conflict that remains as contentious as ever.
