Federal Deputy Luizianne Lins (PT-CE) and Brazilian left-wing Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila are among the participants of the boats that make up the so-called Global Sumud Flotilla, intercepted on Wednesday (1st) by the Navy of Israel in the Mediterranean.
The train, backed by several leftist militants from over 40 countries and Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, sailed towards the Gaza Strip when he was ordered to change his route.
In a statement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said that “the Israeli Navy contacted the Hamas-Sumud Flotilha and asked to change its way. Israel informed the flotilla that she is approaching an active combat zone and violating a legitimate naval block.”
Despite the warning, the boats continued to sail and were approached. The profile of activist Thiago Ávila on Instagram said that “our vessels are being illegally intercepted. Cameras are out of breath and vessels were approached by Israeli forces.” The account of Mrs Luizianne Lins accused in X Israel of acting “illegally and authoritatively” and said he called Brazilian authorities and international organizations.
??? Urgent | International alert ????
Information comes that, in an illegal and authoritarian manner, Israel’s armed forces intercepted the Global Sumud flotilha, which features the participation of Brazilian federal deputy Luizianne Lins and dozens of volunteers from more than… pic.twitter.com/WwnTh0vGKS
– Luizianne Lins (@luiziannelinspt) October 1, 2025
According to reports by the Global Sumud Flotilha itself, nine vessels have already been intercepted by Israel, including the Florida vessel, which was affected by Israeli military vessels. Activists also claim that water cannons were used against the vessels, but confirmed that no participant was injured. Israel does not confirm the information.
By Israeli law, foreigners trying to pierce Gaza’s blockade can be deported within 72 hours. In June this year, the Israeli Navy had already intercepted the Madleen vessel, from the so -called Greta Freedom Flotilha, which also tried to pierce Gaza’s naval blockade. At the time, 12 activists were taken to Israel, including Brazilian Thiago Ávila. Four accepted voluntary expulsion, while the others remained detained, underwent court hearings in the country and were later released.
Israel maintains a naval and terrestrial blockade over Gaza to prevent smuggling weapons for the terrorist group Hamas. The Israeli government accuses the Global Sumud flotilla to have direct ties with Hamas.
According to Israel, there are documents pointing out this connection, including a 2021 letter from Ismail Haniyeh, then leader of the Palestinian terrorist group, sent to the Popular Conference for Palestinians abroad (PCPA), an organization described by Israel as a political front linked to Hamas. The authorities also state that Flotilha acts “in coordination with Hamas under civil pretext”, sailing without permission and violation of international law.
