Lebanese nationals detained aboard Gaza Global Sumud Flotilla

Israeli naval forces have detained Lebanese citizen Lina Al-Tabbal, along with a group of international activists, during the interception of the “Global Sumud Flotilla” that set sail to break the blockade on Gaza.

The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid, was intercepted in international waters early Thursday, with Israeli authorities announcing that 21 out of 44 vessels were stopped and dozens of participants are expected to be deported to Europe.

Al-Tabbal, a native of Tripoli and an international law expert who also holds French citizenship, had anticipated the arrest. In a previous statement, she stressed that any Israeli boarding of the vessels would constitute “piracy and a clear violation of international law.”

Another Lebanese national on board was Mohammad Al-Qadri, head of the Latin-Palestinian Forum and a prominent solidarity activist of Lebanese origin from the Bekaa Valley. Born in São Paulo to Lebanese immigrant parents, Al-Qadri is widely recognized for his work on Palestinian causes and his ever-present keffiyeh, which has become a symbol of his identity.

As of now, Israel has issued no official statement clarifying the conditions of the detention or the fate of the participants. Families and supporters continue to await updates, while rights groups highlight the risks faced by those aboard the flotilla amid Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.