Israel has said pro-Palestinian activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla will be sent to Europe after their boats were intercepted at sea.
Naval forces stopped 13 vessels bound for Gaza, with organizers saying another 30 are still sailing in international waters north of Egypt.
The move has drawn sharp criticism — Turkey has called it terrorism, while Colombia’s president vowed to expel Israeli diplomats after two Colombians were detained.
Below you can read about developments in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Israel, Syria, Iran and other parts of the Middle East on Thursday, October 2. Meanwhile, Brazil has condemned Israel after its navy intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid and activists to Gaza, including several Brazilian nationals and a lawmaker.
Brazil’s foreign ministry said it “deplores the Israeli government’s military action, which violates rights and endangers the physical well-being of peaceful protesters.” The statement added that Israel is now responsible for the safety of those detained, who had been in international waters.
Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said Brazil had raised concerns directly with Israel over the 15 Brazilians on board, including a member of the Brazilian parliament, Luizianne Lins. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has repeatedly denounced what he calls an Israeli “genocide” of Palestinians since the war began after Hamas’s October 2023 terror attack.
Last month, an independent United Nations inquiry announced it found that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
