- May 18, 2026
Irish President’s Sister Among Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla Activists Detained By Israel
Last Updated:
According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, 10 boats from a larger 60-vessel convoy were intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces.
Margaret Connolly, a General Practitioner (GP) based in County Sligo, was among at least six Irish citizens detained by Israel. (Screengrab)
The sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly was among a group of activists detained by Israeli forces after a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in international waters on Monday, according to Irish media reports and activist groups.
Margaret Connolly, a General Practitioner (GP) based in County Sligo, was among at least six Irish citizens aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla when Israeli naval forces intercepted several vessels from the convoy west of Cyprus. The flotilla had departed from Turkey last week as part of an effort to challenge Israel’s long-running blockade of Gaza.
In a video shared on social media after the interception, Connolly held up her Irish passport and claimed she had been detained by Israeli forces. “If you are watching this video, it means I have been kidnapped from my boat in the flotilla by Israeli occupying forces,” she said.
Dr Margaret Connolly, the sister of President Catherine Connolly, is among a number of Irish citizens detained by Israeli forces after a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in the Mediterranean this morning, organisers have said.https://t.co/c1flAadDDw pic.twitter.com/TZUQJLqmYV— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) May 18, 2026
Irish organisers said around 15 Irish citizens were part of the convoy, with six believed to have been detained. According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, 10 boats from a larger 60-vessel convoy were intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces.
The activist group accused Israel of violating international maritime law and demanded the immediate release of those detained.
RED ALERT!Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet and IOF forces are boarding the first of our boats in broad daylight.
We demand safe passage for our legal, non-violent humanitarian mission. Governments must act now to stop these illegal acts or piracy meant to… pic.twitter.com/4RmPuswZNo
— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) May 18, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation, calling the flotilla as a “malicious scheme” aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade on Hamas-controlled Gaza. In a statement released by his office, Netanyahu praised naval forces for successfully preventing the vessels from reaching the Palestinian territory.
Israel’s foreign ministry also accused some groups involved in the convoy of links to extremist organisations and said the flotilla was intended to support Hamas and disrupt ongoing diplomatic efforts linked to US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan.
Turkey condemned the interception as a “new act of piracy”, while Hamas official Bassem Naim called the operation as “state terrorism”. Activists on board said they surrendered peacefully after communication with the vessels was cut off.
The interception is the latest in a series of attempts by international activists to breach Israel’s blockade on Gaza, which has remained in place since 2007.
(With inputs from AFP)
Read More
