All Flotilla Missions
Explore the complete history of Freedom Flotilla missions to Gaza, from the first attempts to break the blockade to the most recent humanitarian efforts.
All ships except for the Mikeno have been ceased
The Handala crew, after passing the point where another ship had been intercepted, spotted an Israeli drone overhead. Reports said Israel planned to deploy its Shayetet 13 commandos if the ship didn’t change course. Fearing interception, the crew sailed parallel to Egyptian waters and requested entry to Al-Arish. Before they could, Israeli forces boarded the ship in international waters, seized it, towed it to Ashdod, and detained the activists for deportation. One activist reported being severely beaten, while other crew members described enduring physical and psychological abuse.
At around 3:00 a.m. on 9 June, Israeli Navy forces from Shayetet 13 seized the vessel about 185 kilometres from Gaza in international waters, and towed it to Ashdod. According to Israeli officials, they ordered it to turn back before boarding it. During boarding, the passengers of the ship threw mobile phones and a laptop overboard. The passengers on the vessel surrendered to Israeli authorities without resistance.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the Conscience, a Palau-flagged aid ship to Gaza, was hit twice by drones, igniting a fire and breaching its hull. Videos show flames and explosions, though unverified. The Israeli military said it was checking reports of the attack, which occurred 1,200 miles from Israel.
Most ships were prevented from leaving port or turned back before reaching Gaza.
Israeli forces raided the flotilla on the night of 30–31 May 2010 in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea, boarding the ships using speedboats and helicopters. Nine activists were killed. Dozens of activists and seven Israeli soldiers were injured. After the raid, the activists were detained in Israel pending release: all were deported by 6 June. The ships were towed to Israel and those claimed by their owners were returned. The aid was delivered to Gaza under United Nations supervision on 17 June. Widespread international condemnation of and reaction to the raid followed. Various investigations were conducted, including by the United Nations, Israel and Turkey. Israel-Turkey relations were strained, and Israel subsequently eased its blockade on Gaza.