The Global Sumud Flotilla said on Wednesday its vessels had been “illegally intercepted” by Israeli forces as the convoy attempted to reach Gaza, with organisers reporting that cameras were offline and ships had been boarded by military personnel.
In a statement, the flotilla said it was “actively working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board.” The mission, which organisers describe as the largest humanitarian flotilla ever assembled, includes parliamentarians, journalists, lawyers and activists from Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.
#Flotilla members with their lawyer's numbers on their arms. pic.twitter.com/cJTRztmITj
— Global Sumud Flotilla ✨ (@GSMFlotilla) October 1, 2025
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani told national broadcaster RAI that his Israeli counterpart had assured him the armed forces would not use violence during the operation. “The boarding was planned. We are talking about it … with Minister Saar, so that there would be no violent actions on the part of the Tel Aviv armed forces, and this has been assured to me,” Tajani said. He added that Italian citizens on the ships were likely to be taken to the port of Ashdod before being expelled, with consular staff instructed to assist them.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry released a video showing a navy officer ordering the flotilla to divert to Ashdod “where the aid will undergo a security inspection” before being transferred to Gaza. Israel maintains the naval blockade is a security measure designed to prevent weapons reaching Hamas.
The flotilla released its own footage in response. In it, steering committee member Thiago Avila accused Israel of blocking a humanitarian mission in violation of international law. “You say that we are entering an active warzone. You are saying that we are entering a place where you are committing war crimes,” Avila said. He cited the International Court of Justice’s provisional ruling that humanitarian assistance to Gaza must not be obstructed.
“It is our moral duty to refuse any attempt of an occupying force to control humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Avila added. “Therefore, we do not recognise you as a legitimate agent to bring aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail with more than 50 vessels and some 500 participants from over 40 countries, says its mission is to deliver humanitarian aid directly to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s blockade. Israel regards the effort as a provocation and has warned that participants could face detention.
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