179 Unarmed International Participants on 21 Boats Kidnapped in International Waters by Israeli Navy
On the evening of Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Israeli naval forces attacked the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) to Gaza.
An unknown number of Israeli military ships traveled more than 700 miles to attack a 54-ship flotilla that was headed for Gaza to break the illegal Israeli naval blockade of Gaza and bring worldwide attention to the continuing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, Israeli ethnic cleansing of the West Bank, the destruction and occupation of southern Lebanon, and the attacks on Iran.
Some 21 boats were attacked by Israeli naval forces about 80 nautical miles west of the Greek island of Crete in international waters.
179 participants from 33 countries were taken into custody against their will from boats that were damaged by Israeli naval forces and put onto a commercial cargo ship that may arrive at the Israeli port of Ashdod around Saturday, May 2.
We anticipate that they will be processed at a dock facility in Ashdod, then transported to an Israeli prison and in 3-5 days deported from the country with a 10- to 100-year ban on returning to Israel, which means that one cannot get to the West Bank for actions in solidarity with Palestinians who are under attack by Zionist Israeli settlers who steal Palestinian land and animals and burn Palestinian houses and cars.
15 U.S. citizens were among the 179 who were kidnapped by Israeli forces.
32 flotilla boats remain afloat, although many were damaged by Israeli naval forces and may be forced into ports on the large Greek island of Crete for repairs. No doubt the Israeli naval forces will be lurking like sharks in the waters off Crete waiting for the small boats to come out.
Four More Boats Are in Siracusa, Sicily, Italy
I am in Siracusa, Sicily, Italy, with the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and its four boats, two of which came from the Thousand Madleens organization.
The FFC has been sailing boats to break the illegal Israeli naval blockade of Gaza since 2010 with more than 35 boats having sailed in the years from 2008 to 2025.
The Year 2025 Was Remarkable for International Citizen Solidarity with Palestine
2025 was a remarkable year for international citizen solidarity with Palestine. In July the “Madleen” sailboat sailed to break the Siege of Gaza, followed by the 3,000+ person Global Sumud Land Convoy through Egypt, Libya and Tunisia, followed by the FFC ship “Handala” sailing to break the blockade, followed by the large 42-boat Global Sumud Flotilla, followed by the FFC “Conscience” ship that sailed with eight boats of the “Thousand Madleens.”
Actions Against U.S. Complicity in the Israeli Genocide of Gaza
As a U.S. citizen opposed to U.S. government complicity, no matter which political party is in power, in Israeli attacks on Gaza, I have been a part of the flotilla movement since 2010 as a participant on the flotilla that included the large ship Mavi Marmara on which Israeli soldiers killed 10 and wounded 50.
All six ships in that flotilla were attacked by Israeli naval forces and participants assaulted, taken to Israel, imprisoned in Israel and ultimately deported.
We will continue to sail boats until the genocide of Gaza ends and we break the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza.
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About the Author
Ann Wright is a retired United States Army colonel and retired U.S. State Department official.
She was one of three State Department officials to publicly resign in direct protest of the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.
Since that time Colonel Wright has been a dedicated peace activist.
Ann can be reached at annw1946@gmail.com.
