On 02 October, the Israeli military intercepted nearly all of about 40 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. More than 450 activists, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg and several European lawmakers, were detained. The flotilla, the largest yet to attempt breaking Israel’s blockade, carried a symbolic amount of aid, with participants stating their goal was to end Israel’s “illegal siege” and ongoing genocide against Palestinians. Israel’s Foreign Ministry called it a “provocation”. The interception sparked widespread international condemnation and protests and highlights heightened security and operational risks for maritime activity near Gaza.