Gaza Flotilla Organizers Accuse Israel of Surrounding Their Boats with Military Vessels
Global Sumud Flotilla claims Israeli military boats threatened activists in international waters.
ATHENS: The organizers of a flotilla carrying pro-Palestinian activists aimed at challenging the Israeli blockade on Gaza have alleged that their vessels were surrounded by Israeli 'military boats.'
The flotilla, comprising over 50 boats, departed from Marseille in France, Barcelona in Spain, and Syracuse in Italy in recent weeks.
In a post to X overnight, the Global Sumud Flotilla asserted that Israeli military vessels had 'illegally surrounded the flotilla in international waters and threatened kidnapping and violence.'
The organization also stated that communications with 11 of its vessels have been lost.
According to their live tracking on their website, the flotilla is currently near the coast of Greece, off Crete.
The Global Sumud Flotilla further detailed that Israeli military speedboats pointed lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons at them, ordering activists to move to the front of the boats and kneel.
The organization also mentioned that boat communications were jammed and an SOS was issued.
In late 2025, a similar flotilla of around 50 boats, which included political figures and activists such as Greta Thunberg from Sweden, was intercepted by the Israeli navy.
According to the organizers and Amnesty International, this action was deemed unlawful.
The crew members were detained and deported by Israel.
The Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
Both Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement have accused each other of violating a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, following two years of conflict.
The flotilla, comprising over 50 boats, departed from Marseille in France, Barcelona in Spain, and Syracuse in Italy in recent weeks.
In a post to X overnight, the Global Sumud Flotilla asserted that Israeli military vessels had 'illegally surrounded the flotilla in international waters and threatened kidnapping and violence.'
The organization also stated that communications with 11 of its vessels have been lost.
According to their live tracking on their website, the flotilla is currently near the coast of Greece, off Crete.
The Global Sumud Flotilla further detailed that Israeli military speedboats pointed lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons at them, ordering activists to move to the front of the boats and kneel.
The organization also mentioned that boat communications were jammed and an SOS was issued.
In late 2025, a similar flotilla of around 50 boats, which included political figures and activists such as Greta Thunberg from Sweden, was intercepted by the Israeli navy.
According to the organizers and Amnesty International, this action was deemed unlawful.
The crew members were detained and deported by Israel.
The Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
Both Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement have accused each other of violating a ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, following two years of conflict.
