The Global Sumud Flotilla, which is attempting to reach the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, said that they were being surrounded by suspected Israeli vessels. The 47-boat flotilla carrying over 500 activists and critical aid to the besieged people of Gaza was nearing the “critical zone” when they were intercepted. Gaza flotilla being surrounded “We’ve detected 20+ unidentified vessels on our radar, just 3 nautical miles ahead of our fleet. This may signal a potential naval blockade. But let it be clear: we will not be intimidated by threats, harassment, or efforts to protect Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a post on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Global Sumud Flotilla (@globalsumudflotilla) The Global Sumud Flotilla organisers declared a state of emergency on board and said they were preparing for an Israeli interception of their mission. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Global Sumud Flotilla (@globalsumudflotilla) One of the boats, Alma, was being encircled by Israeli vessels, while communication had been cut from many others. The Freedom Flotilla surrounded by 20 🇮🇱 vessels, 70 nautical miles off Gaza 🇵🇸 coast.Piracy 🇮🇱 against 50 boats from 44 countries attacked in international watersFor seeking to stop a genocideNo western media outcry. Silence from western ‘leaders’Share their bravery. pic.twitter.com/DEzg0fU9Gm— Howard Beckett (@BeckettUnite) October 1, 2025 Footage of Israeli navy vessels intercepting global sumud flotilla pic.twitter.com/0PfcTFnnrO— Global Sumud Flotilla Commentary (@GlobalSumudF) October 1, 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza The Global Sumud Flotilla, with Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, and several European lawmakers aboard, which set sail late August, is set to reach the Gaza Strip this week. “Every minute we advance a little more,” Thiago Ávila, one of the flotilla leaders and spokespeople, told reporters earlier in the day during an online news conference from the Alma. Activists on board a flotilla of vessels sailing toward Gaza are carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. The 47-boat flotilla is carrying over 500 activists. (Photo: Reuters) Under constant attacks, intimidation The vessels were sailing in international waters north of Egypt on Wednesday afternoon and had entered what activists and others called a “danger zone" or “high risk zone." While still in international waters, it is an area where the Israeli navy has stopped other boats attempting to break its blockade in the past and which the flotilla has been warned not to cross. Overnight, the activists said two Israeli warships aggressively approached two of their boats, circling them and jamming their communications, including the live cameras on board. “It was an intimidation act. They wanted us to see them,” said Lisi Proença, another activist who was on board the Sirius, a vessel that was targeted alongside the Alma. After the close encounter overnight, the military vessels eventually left and the flotilla continued on its journey, broadcasting live cameras from many of its boats. Israel calls flotilla a provocation Israel and other governments have urged the flotilla to turn back. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the flotilla a provocation and warned them to stop and transfer their aid through other channels into Gaza. “It is not too late,” he posted on X. Israel has insisted that the Global Sumud Flotilla should turn back and transfer aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza. Israel’s government has accused some of the flotilla members of being linked to Hamas, while providing little evidence to support the claim. Spain, Italy urge flotilla to turn back European governments, including Spain and Italy, which had sent their navy ships to escort the flotilla during part of its journey, urged the activists to turn back and avoid confrontation. But while Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni said late Tuesday the flotilla's actions risked undermining US President Donald Trump’s recent proposal for resolving the war in Gaza, Spain's prime minister defended them. “We must remember it is a humanitarian mission that wouldn’t be taking place if the Israeli government had allowed for the entry of aid,” Pedro Sánchez told reporters on Wednesday. Spaniards taking part would benefit from full diplomatic protection, he added. “They present no threat nor danger to Israel,” he said.
