The “Global Sumud Flotilla” is estimated to include about 100 vessels carrying roughly 1,000 activists from multiple countries. Most of the boats are currently sailing near the Greek island of Crete, about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from Gaza, and are expected to approach the area in the coming days.
Israeli naval forces are making operational preparations to stop the flotilla before it reaches Gaza, while Israeli officials are also engaging diplomatically with countries from which the vessels departed, including Turkey, Spain and Italy. Military officials assess the ships are unlikely to reach Gaza’s coastline.
The flotilla to Gaza sets off from Barcelona
(Reuters)
Possible scenarios under consideration include boarding the vessels at sea or deploying forces from the air onto the ships. Israeli planners are weighing both operational and diplomatic sensitivities, citing lessons learned from past flotilla incidents, including the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid.
Organizers say the flotilla aims to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, but describe the effort as part of a broader campaign. In a statement, they said the initiative is part of a “global movement” seeking to dismantle what they called “apartheid, occupation, ethnic cleansing and genocide.” They added that the campaign reflects civil society acting “where governments have failed,” and pledged action “at sea, in the streets and in centers of power.”
Among the participants is Dr. Margaret Connolly, identified as the sister of Ireland’s president, a longtime pro-Palestinian activist who has taken part in previous flotilla efforts and served as a volunteer physician on aid missions.
Brazilian participants include Thiago Ávila, a prominent activist associated with flotilla initiatives, along with Bruno Gilga Rocha, Ariadne Telles, a human rights lawyer, and Mandi Coelho, a member of Brazil’s United Socialist Workers' Party and a congressional candidate.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Section 56(b) of the Counterterrorism Law allows for the seizure of property and vessels intended for use in terrorist offenses.
Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a sanctions decree against the flotilla’s fundraising campaign, stating that it is directly organized by Hamas, in cooperation with other international organizations, under the guise of a humanitarian aid flotilla.
“The sanctions were imposed as part of the economic campaign led by the defense establishment against Hamas and against attempts to destabilize the Gaza Strip, in which the United States is also involved, following extensive activity by the Navy, Military Intelligence, and the National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing at the Defense Ministry,” the statement said.
Katz’s office added that the flotilla violates U.N. Resolution 2803, which stipulates that aid to Gaza must enter through established official channels, and therefore undermines stabilization efforts led by the Trump administration as part of broader regional efforts.
“In the public communications sphere, the flotilla organization is raising funds to acquire vessels and recruit participants. These steps are being carried out in a manner that is not transparent to the public and not necessarily legal. Recently, individuals linked to the organization were arrested in Tunisia on suspicion of money laundering and corruption, and senior figures have been detained in several locations over similar suspicions.
“Section 56(b) of the law states that the defense minister may, by order, authorize the seizure of property belonging to a designated terrorist organization, or property intended for a serious terrorist offense, if convinced that doing so is necessary to thwart the organization’s activities, impair its capabilities, or prevent a serious terrorist offense. It also allows for the seizure of property used directly in committing such an offense.”