On Wednesday evening, several ships of the Global Sumud international flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, were intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea by the Israeli naval forces, according to its organizers. Activists denounce an illegal operation and call for the protection of participants.
In a press release published on social networks, the organizers said: “Around 8:30 pm Gaza hour, several ships of the Global Sumud flotilla, notably the Alma, Sirius and Adara, were illegally intercepted and discussed by the Israeli occupation forces in international waters”.
The press release also specifies that “live retransmission and communications with several other boats have been lost”, stressing the massive and coordinated nature of the arranged.
Starting early September in Spain, the flotilla brings together 45 boats and several hundred activists from more than 40 countries, including personalities such as Greta Thunberg or Mandla Mandela (grandson of Nelson Mandela).
The organizers present the mission as “peaceful and non -violent” and intended to symbolically break the blockade of Gaza while transporting humanitarian aid.
Accusations and tensions at sea
Israel says that the flotilla is linked to Hamas and is trying to enter an “active combat zone” in violation of a “legal naval blockade”. The Israeli navy proposed to transfer any help by secure channels, while activists denounce “intimidation tactics”.
Some ships, such as Alma and Sirius, would have been surrounded, forcing their captains to make sudden maneuvers to avoid collisions. According to activists, communications have been scrambled remotely.
The flotilla navigates in an area considered “at high risk” where Israel had already intercepted the humanitarian ships Madleen and Handala in June and July. Spain and Italy had sent military buildings to escort the convoy, before retiring at the limit of the areas declared “maritime exclusion” by Israel.
Despite these obstacles, the organizers claim to want to continue their humanitarian mission, saying that their action responds to the emergency linked to the blockade and the in progress since the attack on Hamas against Israel.
🚨🇵🇸🇮🇱 Info alert | The flotilla for Gaza is being arranged by Israel. The organizers said a few minutes ago: “Our ships are illegally intercepted. The cameras are out of tension and the ships have been immobilized by soldiers. »» pic.twitter.com/9hevoxrp7w
– Cerfia (@cerfiafr) October 1, 2025
