Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla have pledged to press ahead with their mission to deliver aid to Gaza, despite Israeli occupation forces storming and abducting several vessels in the Mediterranean.
By early Thursday, at least 13 boats had been raided or forced to stop, according to flotilla tracking data. But in a statement, organisers insisted the campaign “will continue undeterred.”
Posting on Telegram, the flotilla said that 30 boats carrying activists, parliamentarians, and supplies remained on course, just 46 nautical miles from Gaza. The convoy, comprising more than 40 civilian vessels and some 500 passengers, is one of the largest efforts in years to break “Israel’s” blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Carrying food and medicine, the mission has become a high-profile symbol of international opposition to the siege.
Wider context
On Wednesday, Israeli naval forces raided several of the flotilla’s boats, forcibly taking them and those on board to an Israeli port. The operation drew global attention after footage emerged of Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg sitting on a deck surrounded by armed Israeli soldiers.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the interception, posting on X: “Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”
Flotilla organizers condemned the Israeli raid, calling it “illegal” and a “war crime”. They stressed that water cannons and other aggressive tactics were used. No injuries were reported so far.
Passengers shared videos on Telegram, holding up passports and declaring they had been “abducted” and taken to “Israel” against their will. They reiterated the mission’s non-violent, humanitarian character.
Organisers also emphasized that their communications had been disrupted, including live video feeds from some boats.
The flotilla reported that at least three vessels, Spectre, Alma, and Sirius, had been boarded in international waters. The fate of their passengers remained unclear late Wednesday.
International reaction
The raid drew swift condemnation abroad. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry described the interception as “an act of terror” that endangered civilians. Ankara said it had begun steps to secure the release of Turkish nationals and others detained.
Spain urged “Israel” to guarantee the safety and rights of those on board, while Ireland called the flotilla “a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe.”
Spontaneous protests erupted across Italy after news of the raid spread.
Newly released footage by a British journalist travelling with the flotilla captured the moment the vessel Adara was abducted.
In the recording, a voice is heard describing water being sprayed at the boat, a bright light shining on the deck, and the vessel being encircled by a “large vehicle”. Commands shouted in Hebrew can be heard before soldiers boarded. The journalist reported, “They’re saying if we follow their rules, nothing will happen to us. Put your hands up.”
Despite the raids, flotilla organizers repeated on Thursday that their mission remained on course. With 30 boats still sailing, they vowed the protest would continue until it reached Gaza.
