New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The Global Sumud Flotilla has documented ties to Hamas.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized Israel for intercepting a flotilla bound for Gaza and detained those on board, while Israeli officials defended the operation as lawful.
The Israel Navy boarded more than 20 ships belonging to the Sumud flotilla after it departed from Crete on Wednesday night, detaining 175 activists.
Mamdani said several New Yorkers were among those detained and said his office was working with government partners to gather more information.
In a post on X, Mamdani said, “Last night, Israeli forces intercepted and boarded a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza in international waters off the coast of Greece — unlawfully detaining more than 175 people, including several New Yorkers.”
He added, “My team has been in direct contact with State and Federal partners as we work to confirm the whereabouts and conditions of these New Yorkers,” and called the incident “a brazen violation of international law,” saying, “Those detained must be released.”
Global Sumud Flotilla characterized the incident as “an act of piracy”.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the operation, saying it was authorized under Israeli law.
He cited a provision of the Counterterrorism Law permitting action against ships and property intended for use in terror activity.
Katz also said the Global Sumud flotilla “violates UN Resolution 2803, which stipulated that aid to Gaza should enter through accepted official channels.”
“Like previous provocations, this is nothing but a PR stunt: a provocation without humanitarian aid,” said the ministry. “As international media have exposed, these are professional provocateurs on pleasure cruises, addicted to self-promotion.”
According to documents discovered by Israeli intelligence in the Gaza Strip and reports from the Israeli Diaspora Ministry in late 2025, the Global Sumud Flotilla has documented ties to Hamas, which officials described as a “direct link” in organizing the maritime mission.
The interception follows a similar, smaller operation in 2025 involving vessels seeking to challenge the blockade.
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