Israel’s naval forces intercepted several boats from a humanitarian aid flotilla on Wednesday night. Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla stated that their vessels were attempting to breach Israel’s long-standing maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip.
According to a statement posted on the flotilla’s official social media, Israeli naval forces “illegally intercepted and boarded the Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessel Sirius along with other boats in international waters.” The group further reported that communications from the boats, including live streams, had been cut off, and the welfare of those aboard was currently unknown. They condemned this action as “an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians.”
Adnaan Stumo, an American volunteer with the flotilla, shared via a voice message that at least three boats had been intercepted, with military personnel now onboard. He indicated that other vessels were continuing their slow progress.
In response, Israel’s foreign ministry released a video showing a woman in uniform, identified as being from the Israeli Navy, instructing the flotilla to halt. She warned that they were “approaching a blockaded zone” and reiterated that aid could be delivered to Gaza “through the established channels,” suggesting the port of Ashdod in Israel as an alternative destination.
The ministry’s message accompanying the video asserted that the flotilla organizers were “not interested in aid, but in provocation.”
This encounter was widely anticipated by the activists, who had been live-streaming their journey across the Mediterranean Sea. Videos showed participants, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, undergoing training for nonviolent responses to potential interactions with Israeli commandos.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, composed of activists, aims to deliver essential food and supplies to Gaza while protesting Israel’s ongoing conflict. Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007, following Hamas’s takeover. Recently, a United Nations-backed panel of food experts reported that parts of Gaza were suffering from famine, a finding Israel has disputed.
The flotilla’s journey has attracted significant public attention, partly due to the involvement of high-profile figures such as Ms. Thunberg and Italian lawmakers. Their participation amplified the antiwar protests that have been occurring in Italy in recent weeks.
From the mission’s outset, organizers have been at odds with Israeli authorities. Israel’s government vowed to prevent the ships from reaching Gaza and alleged that the group had ties to Hamas, an accusation the organizers deny.
The Global Sumud Flotilla had previously accused Israel of orchestrating drone attacks on their ships, both near Greece last week and earlier in September at a port in Tunisia.
Following these incidents, Italy and Spain dispatched naval ships to escort parts of the flotilla’s journey. Turkey also used drones to monitor the boats and document any potential attacks. However, as the flotilla neared Israel, these nations urged its members to turn back.
On Wednesday, the foreign ministries of Greece and Italy issued a joint appeal. They requested the flotilla transfer its aid to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem for delivery, expressing concern that the activists’ actions could undermine the peace plan proposed by the United States earlier that week. “At this delicate juncture, everyone must refrain from initiatives that could be exploited by those who still reject peace,” their statement read.
Spanish officials echoed these concerns, cautioning the boats against entering what Israel designated as a closed military zone, citing severe security risks. Spain’s state broadcaster reported that while the Spanish Navy would position a rescue vessel nearby, it would not accompany the activists if they continued toward Gaza.
Israeli officials had offered to transfer the cargo to Gaza if the ships offloaded at an Israeli or another regional port. Organizers rejected this offer as disingenuous, arguing it contradicted Israel’s claim of their Hamas ties. “After they call us ‘the Hamas flotilla,’ then they invite us to Ashkelon marina,” Mr. Stumo remarked in a phone interview.
Mr. Stumo emphasized that the volunteers were “normal people” deeply troubled by the civilian toll of the war in Gaza, and were committed to principles of nonviolence.
This is not the first time activists have attempted and been thwarted in reaching Gaza by sea. In May, a ship named Conscience had to abandon its mission off Malta after being hit by explosions. Israel intercepted the Madleen in June and another vessel, the Handala, in July.
A previous attempt in 2010 to stop a flotilla turned fatal when Israeli navy commandos boarded a boat, resulting in nine deaths and 30 injuries.
Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, Israel’s restrictions on goods entering Gaza have intensified. From March to May of this year, all aid deliveries to Gaza were blocked, with Israel stating it aimed to prevent Hamas from diverting food intended for civilians.
In August, global food security experts confirmed that parts of Gaza were experiencing famine, with widespread severe hunger. The following month, a U.N. commission investigating Israel’s wartime conduct concluded that the country was committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel has refuted both these findings, questioning their methodologies.