The Global Sumud Flotilla announced Wednesday that Israeli naval forces surrounded and boarded several of its ships sailing toward Gaza. Organizers said live broadcasts were cut off as warships blocked communications, intercepting the convoy aimed at challenging Israel’s years-long blockade.
The International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza confirmed that Israeli forces stormed the vessels Alma and Sirius. Activists shared videos showing naval boats approaching the flotilla and ordering a change of course under threat of force.
“We are being attacked right now by the Zionist army,” the committee wrote on X, reporting cameras disabled and crews detained. The committee said the Alma’s captain refused to halt despite Israeli warnings, prompting emergency alerts across the convoy’s ships.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed contact with the flotilla, publishing footage of a naval officer demanding the vessels head to Ashdod port. The ministry said aid would undergo inspection before transfer into Gaza and confirmed that some activists had already been detained.
Public broadcaster KAN reported naval forces boarded several ships, while Channel 13 said the takeover operation would continue into Thursday. According to the committee, about 70 activists were detained, while 40 vessels pressed on, now 165 kilometres from Gaza’s shores.
The flotilla carried humanitarian and medical aid, departing in late August with 532 civilians from over 45 countries. This marks the first time in years that more than 50 ships have jointly sailed toward the besieged enclave of 2.4 million people.
Israel has warned the flotilla to turn back, citing its blockade. Since October 2023, over 66,100 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed in Gaza. The blockade, tightened further in March, has left Gaza starving, with food and medicine stranded at closed crossings.