7am Beatings and rubber bullets: Onboard the flotilla intercepted by Israel
May 6, 2026
Zach Schofield, an Australian activist who sailed with a flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, gives eyewitness testimony of being intercepted at sea. He describes drones, warnings, soldiers boarding, alleged beatings and rubber bullets. He also talks about damaged boats, lost aid, injuries and why the group may try again.
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Woken By Drones Before Interception
- Zach Schofield describes being woken by drones and hearing a broadcast that their comms were jammed and they were preparing for interception.
- He says the flotilla was in international waters, had high drone activity, and activated safety protocols before the boarding.
Flotilla Interceptions Were In International Waters
- Zach asserts the flotilla was in international waters and argues Israel has no legal authority to intercept and that blockades restricting humanitarian aid are illegal.
- He cites the responsibility to protect and frames humanitarian delivery as legally justified despite interceptions.
Commandos Boarding And Cameras Destroyed
- Zach recounts the boarding: tactical RIBs, six commanders, assault rifles waved and security cameras destroyed.
- They had hands up, were kneel-marched to the bow, Starlink and cameras cut, then taken toward a transport ship converted into a prison.