The Times of Israel is liveblogging Thursday’s events as they happen.
Turkey accuses Israel of ‘act of terrorism’ with Gaza flotilla interception
Turkey’s foreign affairs ministry accuses Israel of “an act of terrorism” by intercepting an activist flotilla bound for Gaza with humanitarian aid.
“The attack by Israeli forces in international waters against the Global Sumud flotilla, which was on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, is an act of terrorism that constitutes the most serious violation of international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians,” the ministry says in a statement.
Navy boards several Gaza flotilla vessels, detaining Greta Thunberg and other activists without incident
The Israeli Navy has boarded several of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessels and detained the activists aboard, Israel’s Foreign Ministry says.
The ministry shares a video showing an Israeli soldier handing Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg her belongings after being detained.
“Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” the ministry says.
Once brought to Israel, the activists will be deported.
Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port.
Greta and her friends are safe and healthy. pic.twitter.com/PA1ezier9s— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 1, 2025
FBI cuts ties with ADL after row over extremist label for Charlie Kirk’s advocacy group
The FBI has cut ties with advocacy group Anti-Defamation League, Kash Patel, the bureau’s director, says.
“This FBI won’t partner with political fronts masquerading as watchdogs,” Patel says in a post on X.
A day earlier, the ADL said that it took down its Glossary of Extremism and Hate after right-wing US activists assailed the online database for including an entry about Turning Point USA, the conservative advocacy group led by slain influencer Charlie Kirk.
X owner Elon Musk, who has branded the US-based antisemitism watchdog an anti-Christian hate group, and Donald Trump Jr., the US president’s son, were among the prominent figures who criticized the database, which served as a resource for researchers, journalists and others.
James Comey wrote “love letters” to the ADL and embedded FBI agents with them – a group that ran disgraceful ops spying on Americans.
That era is OVER. This FBI won’t partner with political fronts masquerading as watchdogs. pic.twitter.com/R6IKpSTfuP
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 1, 2025
Islamic Jihad appears to soften stance, demanding changes to Trump plan, rather than rejecting it outright
After Palestinian Islamic Jihad issued a statement on Monday rejecting US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, the terror group holding several hostages appears to soften its stance a little.
PIJ deputy secretary-general Mohammed al-Hindi tells Al Arabiya that the group wants major changes to the plan, apparently no longer rejecting it outright.
The changes include a clearly scheduled withdrawal of Israeli troops linked to the release of the hostages.
Italy’s largest union calls general strike for Friday in support of Gaza aid flotilla
Italy’s largest union has called a general strike for Friday in protest at the treatment of a flotilla seeking to bring aid to Gaza, it says.
Protests are also being held in a number of Italian cities late, including in Naples where demonstrators halted train traffic at the main station after reports that some 20 unidentified vessels were seen approaching the international flotilla.