Israeli forces on Friday morning, October 3, intercepted the Marinette, the last remaining vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which had been sailing toward Gaza carrying international activists and humanitarian supplies. Livestream video, widely circulated on social media, showed Israeli forces boarding the vessel off the coast of Gaza. The video captured the moment soldiers forced their way onto the boat, bringing an end to the flotilla’s mission after days at sea.

According to live tracker data, the Marinette was stopped at around 10:29 am local time, approximately 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza.

In a statement posted on Instagram, organisers confirmed the interception, saying it marked the seizure of all 42 boats that took part in the flotilla. They added that hundreds of civilians from 47 countries have now been detained.

The interception of the Marinette ends more than 38 hours of flotilla activity at sea, during which Israeli forces intercepted or assumed control of dozens of boats. Flotilla organisers reiterated that while the mission’s vessels have been seized, their effort to challenge the blockade of Gaza would continue.

London rally in support of flotilla activists

Hundreds of people gathered in central London on Thursday to show solidarity with Global Sumud Flotilla participants detained by Israeli forces. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and chanted pro-Palestine slogans, while also criticising the British government for what they called complicity in Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Israel says four flotilla activists deported, others in process

In a statement on X, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said deportation procedures for those detained were now in progress. In a statement on Friday afternoon, it confirmed that four Italian citizens had already been deported, while the remaining participants were “in the process of being deported.”

The ministry also said that all detainees were “safe and in good health” and reiterated its position that the flotilla was “nothing but a provocation,” adding that any aid on board could have been delivered to Gaza through official channels.

Global Sumud Flotilla activists launch hunger strike

Activists detained after Israel’s raid on the GSF have begun an open-ended hunger strike, organisers said on Friday, describing it as a protest against the interception of the convoy.

According to the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza, participants refused food immediately after being taken into custody, Anadolu Agency.

Organisers said the flotilla aimed not only to deliver aid but also to spotlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza after months of conflict.

“This was an unlawful assault on civilians enaged in a peaceful mission,” flotilla leaders said, adding that communications had been cut and the condition of many participants remained uncertain.

Marinette last vessel sailing

Prior to its capture, the Marinette had been the only flotilla vessel still at sea after Israeli forces intercepted or assumed control of dozens of others, according to tracker data on Friday.

The live-tracker showed that the Polish-flagged boat carried six passengers and was sailing at just over one knot on a course of 180°, positioned at 31.7743 N, 33.0612 E. Of the 44 boats that set out, 21 were confirmed intercepted, 20 presumed seized, and only the Marinette still active.