Israeli forces detain Gaza aid flotilla activists, trigger hunger strike

At least 87 activists from a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza began a hunger strike after Israeli naval forces intercepted more than 50 vessels in international waters off Cyprus. The flotilla, which left Turkey’s Marmaris port last week, aimed to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israeli personnel boarded the ships, allegedly firing rubber‑bulleted and abducting participants, and transferred roughly 430 activists to Israeli vessels bound for Ashdod.

Detained activists include nine Indonesians, about 15 Irish citizens, three New Zealanders, and a dozen Canadians, among others. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the operation as a “PR stunt,” while National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir visited the detainees and warned they could remain imprisoned for a long time. Dozens of countries – Turkey, Spain, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, Libya, the Maldives and others – condemned the interceptions as violations of international law, and Indonesia said it would use all diplomatic channels to secure releases.

The hunger strike is framed as protest against the “illegal abduction” and solidarity with the roughly 9,500 Palestinian hostages held by Israel. The incident has heightened diplomatic tensions and drawn criticism from multiple governments and organizations worldwide.