Organisers report that the vessels were targeted thrice by drones: twice in Tunisia on 8 and 9 September, and once last week south of Greece.
Published Oct 01, 2025 | 5:25 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 01, 2025 | 5:25 PM
One of the Global Sumud Flotilla boats en route to Gaza. Credit: x.com/GlobalSumudF
Synopsis: The Global Sumud Flotilla, with 500 activists from 46 countries, nears Gaza. The fleet is facing warship harassment and drone attacks from Israel, despite escorts from Spain and Italy. Aiming to breach Tel Aviv’s 18-year blockade with symbolic aid, the mission signifies Gaza’s humanitarian crisis amid the 23-month war. Meanwhile, Israel vows to block the flotilla, citing Hamas links, as tensions escalate in the Mediterranean.
The Global Sumud Flotilla transporting activists aiming to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza is on high alert after an encounter with a warship as it nears the war-ravaged Palestinian region.
The activists anticipate interception by Israeli authorities, a recurring event in previous attempts to reach Gaza. Spain and Italy dispatched naval vessels to escort the flotilla for part of its journey, though the Italian government has urged activists to turn back to avoid a clash with Israel.
On Wednesday, the flotilla reported that two of its ships were harassed by an Israeli warship overnight but avoided full interception.
David Adler’s last post before the Global Sumud Flotilla is intercepted and its crews are abducted by Israeli forces hellbent on maintaining their genocidal siege of Gaza. A must read! https://t.co/sgtYexiOgi
— Yanis Varoufakis (@yanisvaroufakis) October 1, 2025
The flotilla carrying around 500 activists from numerous countries, are involved in the mission, which transports a symbolic quantity of humanitarian aid—primarily food and medicine—for Palestinians in Gaza.
The 23-month Israel-Palestine conflict has triggered a humanitarian disaster in Middle East, leaving much of it in ruins. Activists hope their efforts will spotlight the plight of Palestinians, describing this as the largest attempt yet to breach Israel’s 18-year maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip, predating the current conflict.
Israel maintains that the blockade is essential to prevent Hamas from importing weapons, while critics denounce it as collective punishment. The voyage The primary vessels departed from Barcelona, Spain, on 1 September, sailing east across the Mediterranean, with additional boats joining en route. The flotilla includes several motherships providing support and supplies for the smaller sailboats.
Among the participants are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, alongside Italian and European Parliament members, among others.
The Global Freedom Flotilla crew is chanting “Free, free Palestine!” as Israeli military ships move to KIDNAP them in international waters.
Their ‘crime’?
Bringing baby formula to the starving children of Gaza.
— sarah (@sahouraxo) October 1, 2025
Organisers note delegates from 46 countries have committed, including military veterans, doctors, clergy, and lawyers.
The majority of the flotilla was navigating north of Egypt on Wednesday, heading east towards a “high-risk zone” where Israeli authorities have halted previous flotillas.
Organisers report that the participating vessels were targeted three times by drones: twice in Tunisia on 8 and 9 September, and once last week south of Greece.
During the latest incident, the flotilla claimed it was hit at night by “unidentified drones and communications jamming.”
“20 drones are hovering above us.”
“Israeli interception is imminent.”
“We are in international waters.”
“Hundreds of activists from around the world.”
“Over 50 boats carrying humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza — a population starved by Israel” pic.twitter.com/4fCpcS81tY
— sarah (@sahouraxo) October 1, 2025
Activists reported “at least 13 explosions” on and around several boats, with drones or aircraft dropping “unidentified objects” on at least 10 vessels. No injuries were reported, though damage to the boats and “widespread communication interference” occurred.
Thunberg insisted the attacks would not deter them.
Israel has no objection to Italy and Spain sending rescue ships to accompany the flotilla but has condemned the aid initiative, alleging links to Hamas—a charge the activists vehemently deny.
Israeli authorities warned that the boats will not be permitted to reach Gaza.
“The true intent of this flotilla is provocation and support for Hamas, not humanitarian aid,” stated Israeli Foreign Ministry official Eden Bar Tal last week.
“Israel will not allow any vessel to enter the active combat zone.”
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) limits a state’s jurisdiction to 19 kilometres from its coast. Generally, states lack the authority to seize ships in international waters, though armed conflict is typically an exception.
The Israel-Palestine war began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas-led militants invaded Israel, killing 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.
Tel Aviv states its offensive aims to compel Hamas to surrender and release the remaining 48 hostages, with about 20 believed still alive.
Most others were freed during ceasefires or other agreements. The Israeli campaign has resulted in at least 66,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants but notes around half were women and children.
