Gaza flotilla says they are being surrounded more than 20 Israeli vessels | World News

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which is attempting to reach the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, said that they were being surrounded suspected Israeli vessels. The 47-boat flotilla carrying over 500 activs and critical aid to the besieged people of Gaza was nearing the “critical zone” when they were intercepted.“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 threats, harassment, or efforts to protect Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a post on Instagram.

According to Al Jazeera, the Global Sumud Flotilla organisers have declared a state of emergency on board and are preparing for an Israeli interception of their mission.
Story continues below this ad

The report also added that one of the boats, Alma, was being encircled Israeli vessels, while communication had been cut from many others.

The Freedom Flotilla surrounded 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

Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza

The Global Sumud Flotilla, with Swedish activ 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.

Activs 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 activs. (Photo: Reuters)

Under constant attacks, intimidation

The vessels were sailing in international waters north of Egypt on Wednesday afternoon and had entered what activs 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 activs 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 activ 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 Miner 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 insed 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 activs 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 miner 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.