Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, detaining 175 activists near Crete and hospitalizing 34.
Global Sumud Flotilla Intercepted, Activists Hospitalized
34 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, transporting humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, were hospitalized after being detained by Israeli forces off the coast of Crete. One of those hospitalized is a Polish national, according to organization representatives.
Israeli Account and Activist Numbers
Israel reported on Thursday, April 30th, that its military had detained approximately 175 activists on around 20 vessels in international waters near Crete. The flotilla organizers claim Israel detained 211 activists, including Magdalena Górska, a Polish national and lecturer at Utrecht University.
Nationalities of Hospitalized Activists
During a press conference, representatives of the Global Sumud Flotilla stated that 34 activists required hospitalization due to injuries sustained. The nationalities of 31 hospitalized individuals have been confirmed: 4 from Australia, 2 from Canada, 1 from Hungary, 2 from the Netherlands, 4 from New Zealand, 2 from Spain, 1 from Ukraine, 2 from Germany, 1 from France, 1 from Poland, 2 from the United Kingdom, 2 from Colombia, 3 from Italy, 3 from the United States, and 1 from Portugal.
International Condemnation and Calls for Release
Several European countries whose citizens were among those detained by Israel have called for their release. Ten countries, including Spain, Turkey, and Pakistan, issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s “flagrant violations of international law.”
Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Response
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the safety of Polish citizens participating in the Sumud Global Flotilla initiative was discussed with the charge d’affaires of the Israeli Embassy in Warsaw. Consular and diplomatic services remain on full alert, according to the ministry’s statement on X.
Previous Monitoring and Concerns
In a prior statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that it was monitoring reports of actions taken by Israeli armed forces against activists participating in the voyage, noting the presence of Polish citizens among them, with their exact number still being verified.
Humanitarian Aid and Blockade Context
The Global Sumud Flotilla organized a similar action in autumn 2025, when nearly 500 people set out for the Gaza Strip. That convoy was also intercepted by the Israeli navy, with activists detained, transported to Israel, and subsequently deported.
Flotilla’s Aims and Israel’s Position
Organizers state their goal is to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and symbolically break the Israeli naval blockade. Israel maintains that its blockade is legal, a claim that remains contested.
Gaza Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
From 2023 to 2025, a war between Israel and Hamas took place in the Gaza Strip, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe, according to the UN. Palestinian authorities report at least 72,000 deaths in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations. The Israeli offensive was a response to the Hamas attack on Israel in early October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths.