Detained flotilla activists were filmed performing gymnastics and forming a human pyramid aboard the Israeli naval vessel transporting them to Israel after they’d attempted — unsuccessfully — to breach the Gaza blockade.
Roughly 175 activists from more than 20 boats that were part of the “Global Sumud Flotilla” are being transported after Israeli forces intercepted part of the flotilla in international waters near Greece. The broader flotilla reportedly set sail from Barcelona, Spain, with more than 80 vessels.
According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the operation was conducted “peacefully and without casualties” and was intended to prevent a breach of what it describes as a lawful naval blockade on Gaza.
Officials said there was an “operational necessity to act early,” intercepting the vessels before they reached Israeli territorial waters to “prevent escalation” while minimizing friction and the risk of violence. They also alleged that the flotilla attempted to obstruct an Israeli merchant vessel.
Although the activists claim they were transporting humanitarian aid, Israeli officials mocked the effort as a “condom flotilla” and called it a publicity stunt rather than a serious humanitarian mission. As evidence, the Foreign Ministry posted a video showing what they claim are condoms and bags of drugs found on the vessels.
This is the “medical aid” found aboard the PR stunt flotilla: condoms and drugs pic.twitter.com/RKiHrGLWfw
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 29, 2026
“An initial inspection of the vessels revealed materials that appear to be drugs and contraceptives,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said. “This flotilla is another PR stunt — without humanitarian aid. These are professional provocateurs on pleasure cruises. ‘A condom flotilla’ — nothing more, nothing less.”
According to President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, humanitarian aid to Gaza has significantly expanded, and Hamas’ theft of food supplies dropped from roughly 90% to less than 1%.
“The ‘flotilla’ heading to Gaza is the performative love-boat activism of people who know nothing of and care even less for the condition of Gazans,” the Board of Peace posted to X. “It is distasteful to trade on the misery of people to build your social media profiles.”
Instead, the board suggested those genuinely interested in helping should focus on the next phase of Gaza’s recovery, including applying pressure on Hamas to meet its obligations of giving up its arms to allow for reconstruction and a new government.
Amnesty International raised alarm over the activists’ detention, warning of “grave concerns” for their safety after being intercepted in international waters. The group called for their immediate release and said Israeli authorities must ensure access to consular support and humane treatment while in custody.
Israel released additional footage showing detainees appearing relaxed and even jovial aboard the naval vessels. In one video, activists are seen stretching, laughing, doing cartwheels, and forming a human pyramid.
Approximately 175 activists from more than 20 boats of the condom flotilla are now making their way peacefully to Israel.
In the video: the activists enjoying themselves aboard Israeli vessels pic.twitter.com/0sz8kDpKLX
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 30, 2026
Notably absent from this flotilla was climate activist Greta Thunberg, who participated in at least two previous attempts to challenge the blockade.
In late June, Thunberg was intercepted aboard a vessel in the “Freedom Flotilla,” leading to viral images and videos of Israeli forces boarding the ship and distributing sandwiches. The Israeli government mocked the effort as a “selfie yacht.” She was also intercepted and deported during a similar flotilla in October 2025, which was likewise dismissed as a media stunt.
One notable figure reportedly involved in the current flotilla is Margaret Connolly, the sister of Ireland’s president, Catherine Connolly. She is aboard one of the vessels that has not yet been intercepted.
The flotilla accused Israel of carrying out a “violent raid” when detaining the boats, claiming that naval forces disabled vessels by damaging engines, jamming communications, and leaving boats stranded at sea while in the “path of a massive approaching storm.”
“While flotilla participants face a calculated death trap at sea, the people of Gaza remain the primary targets of a relentless, years-long campaign of starvation and slaughter,” the activists said. “The logic being deployed tonight is identical: the Israeli state creates the conditions for death, sabotages the means of survival, and then waits for ‘nature’ or ‘circumstance’ to finish the job.”
In response, Spain condemned the detention of the 175 activists, which included Spanish citizens, and summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that, in coordination with the Greek government, activists transferred from the flotilla to Israeli vessels would be disembarked on a Greek beach in the coming hours.
He thanked Greece for its willingness to receive the participants, adding that all those taken off the vessels were unharmed.
“Israel will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” he said.
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