GAZA CITY (BN24) — Hamas announced Friday that it has agreed to key portions of President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to end the Gaza war, including releasing hostages and transferring administrative control of the enclave, while making clear that other elements would require further negotiations among Palestinian factions.
The militant group’s statement was its first formal response to Trump’s 20-point peace proposal, which was unveiled earlier this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel has accepted the plan, which has been widely welcomed by international partners, but Hamas emphasized that it would only partially agree for now, pointing to unresolved issues concerning Gaza’s governance and broader Palestinian rights.
Hamas reiterated its willingness to relinquish power to a politically independent Palestinian technocratic body supported by Arab and Islamic nations. It also accepted the proposal’s framework for releasing all Israeli hostages, including remains, under a specific exchange formula.
However, the group said other provisions must be discussed “on the basis of a unanimous Palestinian stance,” in coordination with other factions and in line with international law. Notably, Hamas made no mention of disarmament — a core demand from both Israel and the United States — underscoring one of the major sticking points that could complicate implementation of the deal.
Trump has given Hamas until Sunday evening to accept or reject the plan in full, warning that failure to do so could prompt an intensified military campaign. The U.S. president has framed the proposal as a path to end the nearly two-year war that began with the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and to bring home dozens of remaining hostages before the conflict’s second anniversary.
The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, a staged Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, a full hostage-for-prisoner exchange, and the establishment of a transitional international administration in the enclave. While Egypt and Qatar welcomed the initiative, both said some elements would need additional negotiation.
In its statement, Hamas expressed appreciation for “Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump,” urging continued mediation to finalize the details. The group also affirmed its readiness to begin negotiations through mediators to address outstanding issues.
The White House has not issued an immediate response to Hamas’ partial acceptance.
SOUTHLAKE, Texas (BN24) — Robert Preston Morris, the influential founder of a Texas megachurch who stepped down last year after being accused of sexual abuse, pleaded guilty on Thursday to multiple counts of child sex abuse stemming from incidents that began more than four decades ago.
Morris, 64, admitted to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child in an Osage County, Oklahoma, courtroom, according to the state attorney general’s office. His plea came as part of an agreement with prosecutors.
Authorities said the abuse began in 1982, when the victim was just 12 years old. Morris, then a traveling evangelist, was staying with her family in Hominy, Oklahoma. Over the next four years, the abuse continued while Morris maintained contact with the family, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement.
Under the plea deal, Morris was sentenced to a 10-year suspended term, with the first six months to be served in Osage County Jail. He appeared in court wearing a suit and handcuffs and was escorted out by two sheriff’s deputies. He will be required to register as a sex offender and will be supervised by Texas authorities under an interstate compact.
The victim, Cindy Clemishire, now 55, came forward publicly to share her story. In a statement, she said justice had “finally been served.”
“The man who manipulated, groomed and abused me as a 12-year-old innocent girl is finally going to be behind bars,” Clemishire said. “My hope is that many victims hear my story, and it can help lift their shame and allow them to speak up.”
She urged lawmakers to strengthen protections for children and survivors of sexual abuse, adding that “the only way to stop child sexual abuse is to speak up when it happens or is suspected.”
Morris must pay the costs of his incarceration, including medical expenses, as well as restitution to Clemishire.
His attorney, Bill Mateja, said Morris wanted to take legal responsibility for his actions and bring the case to a close for all parties involved.
“While he believes that he long since accepted responsibility in the eyes of God and that Gateway Church was a manifestation of that acceptance, he readily accepted responsibility in the eyes of the law,” Mateja said.
Morris also expressed a desire to apologize to Clemishire and her family and asked for forgiveness.
When the allegations first surfaced last year, Morris told The Christian Post that while in his early 20s, he was involved in what he described as “inappropriate sexual behavior” with a “young lady” in a home where he was staying. He acknowledged the misconduct, calling it “kissing and petting, not intercourse, but it was wrong.”
Morris founded Gateway Church in 2000 in Southlake, a suburb of Dallas-Fort Worth. Under his leadership, the church grew into one of the largest evangelical congregations in the United States, with tens of thousands of members and significant political influence. He previously served on President Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board, and Gateway hosted Trump in 2020 for a discussion on race relations and the economy.
The church declined to comment on Thursday’s plea.
Oklahoma Attorney General Drummond said the case underscores the severity of child sexual abuse, especially when committed by trusted religious leaders.
“There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children,” Drummond said. “This case is all the more despicable because the perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position of trust and authority. The victim in this case has waited far too many years for this day.”
The plea was entered before Osage County District Special Judge Cindy Pickerill.
Morris was indicted earlier this year by an Oklahoma grand jury, decades after the abuse took place. His guilty plea represents a dramatic fall for a pastor once regarded as one of the most prominent figures in American evangelical circles.
Washington, (BN24) — Apple has removed several apps from its App Store that allowed users to anonymously track the movements of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, reportedly responding to pressure from the Trump administration. The decision comes after growing concerns about the safety risks associated with these apps, which gained traction as President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation efforts escalated nationwide.
The apps, including the popular ICEBlock, had become increasingly utilized over the past few months, as the Trump administration ramped up deportation operations in major U.S. cities. ICE agents were often tracked in real-time by users, who were seeking to protest or alert communities about enforcement actions. The move to remove these tools follows a heightened scrutiny of their role in the wake of violent incidents involving ICE.
One of the most significant flashpoints occurred last month when a shooting at an ICE detention facility in Texas led to the deaths of two detainees and left another wounded. Authorities have suggested that the shooter may have used an app like ICEBlock in the days before the attack. Although investigations indicate the shooter targeted ICE personnel, the episode raised alarms about the safety risks posed to agents and staff at ICE facilities.
In response, the Trump administration strongly criticized the tracking apps, calling them a threat to public safety. The Justice Department intervened, with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi confirming that the government had reached out to Apple, urging the company to remove ICEBlock and other similar apps. According to Bondi, the app’s removal was an immediate response to this request.
Apple, which did not comment immediately when contacted by AFP, confirmed the app’s removal in a statement to NBC News. “Based on information we’ve received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store,” the company said.
While the removal of the apps has sparked debates over the balance between safety and free expression, the decision marks another chapter in the ongoing battle over immigration enforcement in the U.S. and the role of technology in shaping how protests and law enforcement intersect. Protests against ICE and its deportation policies have grown more frequent, especially as the Trump administration continues its push to remove undocumented immigrants from the country.
The removal of the apps has drawn mixed reactions, with critics arguing that it is part of a broader attempt to silence dissent and hinder the ability of activists to monitor and expose controversial ICE actions. However, supporters of the decision argue that it is a necessary step to protect the safety of law enforcement officers in the field.
The controversy is likely to continue as the debate over immigration enforcement in the U.S. remains a polarizing issue, with technology companies caught between the demands of law enforcement and their users’ right to privacy and protest.
Manchester (BN24) — Police have identified the man behind the deadly attack at a synagogue in Manchester, which left two people dead and three others injured on Thursday. Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British national of Syrian descent, drove his car into pedestrians outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue before attacking bystanders with a knife. He was shot and killed by police officers at the scene.
The assault, which occurred during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar, has been declared a “terrorist incident” by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), who confirmed that three individuals were arrested in connection with the attack. The arrests were made on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses, including the commission, preparation, and instigation of acts of terrorism.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack, emphasizing the government’s commitment to protecting the Jewish community. He announced that “additional police assets” would be deployed at synagogues across the country. At the same time, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan assured that “high visibility” policing would increase around synagogues in the capital.
In response to the tragedy, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the incident as the “tragic result” of an escalating wave of antisemitic hatred across the UK, citing hostility faced by Jews on streets, campuses, and online. “This is the day we hoped we would never see, but deep down, we knew would come,” he said.
Al-Shamie’s attack began at around 09:31 AM when police received reports of a vehicle driving towards members of the public. Eyewitnesses described the chaos as security staff at the synagogue prevented the attacker from entering the building. Video footage from the scene shows armed officers surrounding a man on the ground, shouting warnings about a potential bomb before shooting him just seven minutes after the initial call to the police.
The three victims who were injured include one man who was stabbed, another struck by the car, and a third who sustained injuries when police stopped the attacker. GMP confirmed that a suspicious device worn by Al-Shamie during the attack was assessed and deemed not to be a viable explosive.
The investigation revealed that Al-Shamie entered the UK as a young child and was granted British citizenship in 2006. Despite being previously known to authorities, there were no referrals made to the government’s Prevent anti-radicalization scheme in relation to him.
Robin Simcox, the UK’s commissioner for countering extremism, spoke to BBC’s Newsnight, noting that the suspect’s attire, including a dummy suicide vest, could indicate the attack had Islamist motivations. Simcox warned that the situation reflected broader concerns among the Jewish community, with many openly questioning their safety and future in the UK due to increasing antisemitic attacks.
A witness at the scene, a member of the synagogue’s congregation, praised Rabbi Daniel Walker for his calm leadership during the crisis. As prayers were underway, the rabbi acted swiftly to barricade the synagogue’s doors, preventing the assailant from entering. “Rabbi Walker was incredibly calm. He shut the doors to the synagogue to stop him from getting inside. He barricaded everyone inside. He is a hero; this could have been even worse,” she said.
GMP’s Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson commended the bravery of the synagogue’s security team and worshippers, whose quick actions helped prevent greater tragedy. The response of officers was also praised for containing the attacker, as well as for their swift action in neutralizing the threat.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham expressed his sorrow for the victims, condemning the attack as a “horrific antisemitic incident” that would not be tolerated. “Greater Manchester will never stand aside when one of our communities is attacked,” he said in a statement.
The attack has raised serious questions about rising antisemitism in the UK, with both Jewish leaders and security experts calling for stronger measures to protect Jewish institutions and communities. The investigation is ongoing, with further updates expected in the coming days as authorities piece together the motivations behind the violent act.
Munich, (BN24) — Munich Airport reopened on Friday morning after a series of drone sightings forced it to shut down operations and cancel several flights the night before, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. At least 17 flights were grounded, affecting nearly 3,000 travelers, while 15 others were diverted to nearby airports, including Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt. The shutdown began at around 9:30 PM local time on Thursday and lasted for several hours, with air traffic control suspending departing flights and closing the airport earlier than usual.
The German flag carrier Lufthansa confirmed that its flight operations had resumed “according to schedule” by Friday, following the temporary suspension. However, the airline reported that 19 Lufthansa flights had been impacted, either canceled or rerouted, due to the closure of Munich’s airspace.
Authorities are still investigating the origins of the drones, though no immediate confirmation was provided regarding whether they were intentionally targeting the airport or simply flying through restricted airspace. The sightings, which occurred at night, led to heightened security at the airport, with federal police stepping in to assess the situation. Stefan Bayer, a spokesperson for the Federal Police, told Bild Newspaper that the drones were first spotted at 9:30 PM, with another sighting an hour later. However, because the drones were observed after dark, no details about their size or type have been confirmed.
The closure of Munich Airport is the latest in a series of drone-related disruptions across Europe. In recent weeks, several airports have been forced to close their operations temporarily after drone activity was reported. Munich’s closure follows similar incidents at Copenhagen and Oslo airports, where unidentified drones were spotted near military and civilian airspaces.
The German authorities, as well as other European officials, have expressed increasing concern over the safety risks posed by these drone sightings. While Russia has denied involvement in the recent drone disruptions, including incidents in Poland and Estonia, the European Union has ramped up discussions regarding how to secure airport and military airspaces from potential drone threats.
The drone disruption in Munich comes during the peak of the city’s annual Oktoberfest festival, which draws more than six million visitors every year. The festival, which ends on October 5, had already been partially interrupted earlier in the week due to a bomb scare. As of Friday morning, the airport worked quickly to accommodate passengers who had been left stranded overnight, with camp beds, blankets, snacks, and drinks provided to those affected by the cancellations.
The drone scare also prompted a meeting of European leaders in Copenhagen earlier this week to discuss rising drone-related security threats across the continent. Despite the tensions, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed claims that his government was behind the incidents, joking during a summit in Sochi that he “won’t do it again” in countries like France or Denmark.
As Munich’s airport returned to normal operations on Friday, the airport’s officials, alongside local police and air traffic control, faced renewed scrutiny over how to prevent further disruptions in the future. The incident has raised questions about security protocols at major international airports, especially as drone technology continues to evolve, posing new challenges for aviation safety worldwide.
Abuja, (BN24) — A tragic boat accident on the River Niger in Nigeria’s north-central Kogi State has left at least 26 people dead, local officials confirmed on Thursday. The incident occurred on Wednesday when a boat carrying traders capsized while en route from the Ibaji district in Kogi State to the market town of Ilushi in neighboring Edo State.
Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information in Kogi State, described the accident as a “heartbreaking loss” in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ibaji local government area, in this moment of grief,” he added.
The boat mishap occurred during the height of the rainy season, a time when waterways across Nigeria are particularly dangerous due to swollen rivers and strong currents. Boat accidents are unfortunately common in the country, often attributed to overloaded vessels, inadequate safety measures, and the absence of life jackets, despite warnings from authorities about the need for better regulation.
Boats are an essential form of transportation in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where road infrastructure is underdeveloped. However, the enforcement of safety standards remains a significant challenge. According to Fanwo, the Kogi state government plans to collaborate with federal agencies to improve safety on the nation’s waterways to prevent further tragedies.
The tragic event follows another deadly boat accident last month in which at least 31 people died in the Borgu area of Niger State. That incident occurred when an overcrowded boat struck a tree trunk, underlining the persistent risks associated with informal and unsafe boat operations.
The cause of the latest accident in Kogi State has not been immediately determined. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing. As the rainy season continues, concerns over the safety of boat travel in Nigeria are expected to remain a pressing issue, with calls for stricter enforcement of waterway regulations and greater awareness of the risks involved.
The director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library resigned this week under pressure following a dispute with the Trump administration over providing an original Eisenhower sword as a gift to King Charles III during President Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom last month.
Todd Arrington, a career historian who previously held positions with the National Park Service and National Archives and Records Administration, said he stepped down Monday as director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home after being told to “resign or be fired.”
In an interview with CBS News, Arrington said officials believed he could no longer be trusted with confidential information, specifically citing matters “about the sword” and an unrelated issue. The 52-year-old director had resisted removing an original Eisenhower sword from the library’s collection to present to the British monarch during Trump’s unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom.
Four U.S. officials involved in the royal visit were unaware the library director had left his position and said the White House played no role in his departure. However, sources indicated that some in the Trump administration were unhappy with Arrington’s handling of the gift selection process.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement last month indicating Charles received a replica sword rather than an original artifact, noting the gift “symbolizes profound respect and is a reminder of the historical partnership that was critical to winning World War II.” The palace declined further comment on the specific sword provided.
Former Army General Eisenhower possessed several swords throughout his distinguished military career, including a Sword of Honor presented by the city of London in 1947 for his role as allied supreme commander during World War II, an honor saber gifted by the Netherlands in 1947, and his West Point officer saber.
Officials at the State Department compiled gift options for the first couple and sought an Eisenhower sword to emphasize the significance of the U.S.-U.K. relationship since World War II, sources said. First lady Melania Trump personally selected gifts for Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their children, according to a senior administration official.
Arrington argued against donating an artifact that had been accepted as a gift to the library and had become property of the American people. He told officials he could help identify alternative gifts, but sources indicated State Department officials persisted in requesting an original artifact. The library’s team offered to assist in locating a replica.
West Point ultimately provided a Cadet Saber from the military academy for presentation to King Charles. Arrington said he never communicated with White House officials, only with personnel in the Foreign Gift Office at the State Department and colleagues at the National Archives.
Two sources close to the matter said conversations before the U.K. trip about finding a substitute for an original sword remained polite and tension-free, with no one expressing anger to Arrington about being unable to provide a museum piece.
One administration official claimed Arrington was believed to have spoken critically about the president and administration, allegations Arrington strongly disputes. “That is 100 percent incorrect,” he said. “I never said a bad word about anybody. I talked to colleagues about trying to find a sword or artifact, something we could give to them for the president to give to the King, and at no time did I disparage anyone.”
Arrington emphasized that if someone in the administration accused him of disparaging the Trump administration, such concerns were never communicated to him directly.
The White House plays no formal role in hiring or firing directors of presidential libraries within the National Archives system. The archivist of the United States, who oversees NARA, holds responsibility for hiring library directors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is serving as acting archivist, while James Byron, a senior adviser to the archivist, manages day-to-day NARA operations.
Arrington began serving as director of the Eisenhower library in August 2024. The Abilene, Kansas facility is one of 16 presidential libraries or museums operated by NARA, including those planned for President Trump and former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Eric Trump announced this week that his family plans to construct the Trump library and museum in Miami.
Arrington indicated another reason cited for his removal involved construction of a new building for the nonprofit Eisenhower Foundation on the library grounds, though he did not elaborate on specific concerns.
Neither NARA nor the Eisenhower library responded to requests for comment. Both entities began operating Wednesday with limited staffing due to the federal government shutdown.
Arrington said he is less than five years from retirement eligibility and hopes to secure a position at a different federal agency. However, he expressed deep attachment to his former role.
“If there’s any way for it to happen, I’d return to this job in a heartbeat,” Arrington said. “I love the job, I love the people, I love the history. I never in a million years wanted this to happen.”
The resignation highlights tensions between career federal employees managing historical collections and political appointees seeking to utilize those artifacts for diplomatic purposes. Presidential libraries operated by the National Archives maintain collections that belong to the American people, creating potential conflicts when requests arise to transfer original artifacts as gifts.
The dispute reflects broader questions about appropriate use of presidential artifacts held in public trust and the balance between preserving historical materials and leveraging them for contemporary diplomatic objectives.
Arrington’s departure marks an unusual personnel change at a presidential library, institutions typically insulated from political pressures despite their connections to specific administrations. The circumstances surrounding his resignation may raise concerns among archivists and historians about potential political interference in management of presidential collections.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — The Trump administration has formally notified Congress that President Donald Trump has determined the United States is engaged in an “armed conflict” with major drug cartels, a move that places the groups in the same legal category as foreign terrorist organizations and authorizes expanded military action against them.
In a confidential notice delivered this week, the administration said Trump had classified the cartels as “non-state armed groups,” designated them as terrorist organizations, and concluded that their actions amount to “an armed attack against the United States.”
“In response, based upon the cumulative effects of these hostile acts against the citizens and interests of United States and friendly foreign nations, the President determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations,” the notice stated.
The declaration marks one of the most significant legal shifts in U.S. counter-narcotics policy in decades. By framing the cartels as unlawful combatants rather than criminal entities, the administration is asserting wartime authorities to target cartel members, potentially including operations beyond U.S. borders.
The notification to Congress followed several recent U.S. military strikes against suspected cartel-linked vessels. Trump said on Truth Social that U.S. forces had struck at least three boats from Venezuela in recent weeks that were allegedly carrying narco-traffickers and drugs capable of threatening Americans.
The congressional notice cited one such operation on Sept. 15 that killed “approximately three unlawful combatants,” underscoring the administration’s expanded approach to using military force.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the strikes in a statement Thursday, saying the president acted “in line with the law of armed conflict to protect our country from those trying to bring deadly poison to our shores.” She added that Trump was “delivering on his promise to take on the cartels and eliminate these national security threats from murdering more Americans.”
The administration’s move has sparked sharp debate in Washington. NBC News reported last month that officials were considering launching military strikes against drug cartels inside Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has denied any role in drug trafficking and accused the U.S. of attempting to overthrow him.
Critics, including congressional Democrats and some Republicans, argue that the administration lacks the legal authority to use the military against cartels, contending that drug trafficking should remain a law enforcement issue centered on interdiction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also serving as acting national security adviser, has described traditional interdiction efforts as ineffective.
The administration’s legal determination effectively puts the cartels on par with groups like Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, opening the door for a sustained military campaign targeting their operations.
President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that European nations bear primary responsibility for ending the war in Ukraine, not the United States, and warned that Russia would deliver a “convincing” response to what he described as Europe’s accelerating militarization.
Speaking at the annual Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Putin cast Europe, rather than Washington, as the main actor capable of halting hostilities. His remarks signaled both a strategic reframing of blame and a warning of retaliation as tensions rise over incursions into NATO airspace.
“Unfortunately, so far we haven’t been able to stop the hostilities, but the responsibility for that relies not on the majority [of countries] but on the minority, first and foremost Europe, who continues to escalate the conflict,” Putin said. “I believe there is no other goal over there. At the same time I believe that good will shall prevail. We have no doubt about this.”
Putin Shifts Blame Toward Europe
Putin’s comments followed President Donald Trump’s recent assertion that Kyiv, “with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form.” Analysts interpreted Trump’s remarks as an attempt to place the onus for conflict resolution on European allies rather than on Washington.
In his speech, Putin accused Western countries of hypocrisy and deception, arguing that NATO’s expansion and Europe’s desire for geopolitical dominance were the root causes of the war. He claimed European leaders were “plastering the cracks of the edifice of Europe” to maintain a shaky unity by reviving an “enemy” narrative centered on Russia.
“They try to recreate the well-known enemy that they invented hundreds of years ago: Russia,” Putin said. “Many people in Europe do not know what’s so horrible about Russia. Why should they tighten their belts countering Russia, forgetting about their own interests, sacrificing themselves and acting to their own detriment?”
Warning Against European Militarization
Putin also issued a pointed warning over what he called Europe’s “militarization,” saying Moscow’s response to perceived threats would be decisive. “The response to such threats will be, to put it mildly, quite convincing,” he said. “Russia proved on many occasions that when threats to our peace and security come to the fore — and threats to our sovereignty and our statehood — we are swift in responding. No, you should not provoke us.”
The Valdai Discussion Club, founded in 2004, serves as a major platform for Putin’s annual foreign policy statements. This year’s address comes amid renewed U.S. strategic maneuvering. Reuters reported Thursday that Trump authorized U.S. intelligence agencies and the Pentagon to provide Ukraine with intelligence to strike energy infrastructure deep inside Russia — a shift that came shortly before his statement expressing confidence in Ukraine’s military prospects.
Putin’s remarks underscore a broader Russian effort to redirect diplomatic pressure toward European capitals, portraying the European Union as both a key instigator of the conflict and the party ultimately responsible for its resolution.
JERUSALEM (BN24) — Israel drew widespread condemnation and sparked mass protests worldwide on Thursday after its navy intercepted nearly all of a flotilla of boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, detaining more than 450 activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The Israeli military said its forces boarded dozens of the roughly 40 vessels in the early morning hours, describing the flotilla as an attempt to breach a lawful blockade. Live video streams from the ships showed armed soldiers in helmets and night-vision gear storming the boats as passengers, many wearing life jackets, raised their hands in surrender.
Among those detained was Thunberg, 22, who appeared in footage released by Israel’s foreign ministry sitting on the deck surrounded by soldiers. A pre-recorded video of Thunberg was released shortly after her detention. “If you are watching this video, I have been abducted and taken against my will by Israeli forces,” she said. “Our humanitarian mission was nonviolent and in full compliance with international law.”
Global Outcry and Mass Protests
The raid ignited protests in cities across Europe, as well as in Karachi, Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Istanbul. Italian labor unions called a general strike for Friday in response to the incident. Turkey’s chief prosecutor opened an investigation after 24 Turkish citizens were detained. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa demanded the release of nationals onboard, including Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela.
The flotilla’s organizers, the Global Sumud Flotilla, said more than 450 people had been detained, including parliamentarians, lawyers, and prominent human rights defenders. One boat, the Marinette, was still attempting to reach Gaza on Thursday night, roughly 80 nautical miles from its coast.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said most of the detained activists would likely be expelled early next week and flown to European capitals. Israeli officials confirmed the detainees were being processed at Ashdod port and would be moved to Ketziot Prison before deportation.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg, center, waits to board the Madleen boat, before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Israel Defends Blockade
Israel’s foreign ministry called the flotilla a “provocation,” saying it would not allow any vessel to breach the blockade around Gaza, which has been under heavy bombardment for nearly two years. “One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance,” the ministry said in a statement. “If it approaches, it will also be prevented.”
The flotilla set out in late August with food and medicine bound for Gaza in defiance of Israel’s blockade, which critics argue constitutes a violation of the Genocide Convention. Israel, meanwhile, is defending itself against charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice, insisting its military operations are acts of self-defense following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people and saw more than 250 hostages taken into Gaza.
Hamas and International Response
Hamas, which governs Gaza, condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla as a “criminal act” and urged global demonstrations. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also condemned what he called “thuggery” against a mission seeking only to provide aid to starving Palestinians.
The United States and Israel this week announced a new proposal to end the conflict, requiring Hamas to surrender. President Donald Trump said he would temporarily oversee Gaza’s governance under the plan, warning of further escalation if Hamas refused.
Humanitarian Mission Under Fire
The flotilla, carrying civilians from dozens of countries, represented one of the most high-profile attempts to challenge Israel’s maritime blockade since the war began. Organizers accused Israel of jamming communications from the vessels to suppress live broadcasts.
The raid comes as Palestinian health officials report more than 66,000 deaths in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive. Vast parts of the enclave have been reduced to rubble, while international agencies warn of famine and a collapsing health system.
