Called the “Global Sumud Flotilla”, it consists of more than 40 civilian power boats and yachts carrying about 500 pro-Palestinian activists and politicians, including the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon. The organizers of the initiative have maintained that their goal is to deliver aid to the war-ravaged territory.
According to the Guardian, the vessels “were sailing in international waters north of Egypt on Wednesday afternoon and had entered what has been described as 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.”
A screengrab from a live video footage shows crew members sitting aboard the Gaza-bound Aurora vessel, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, October 1, 2025. Global Sumud Flotilla/Handout via REUTERS
“About 7.25 pm, roughly 20 Israeli naval ships approached the flotilla and ordered the boats to turn off their engines, activists said on social media. Live footage from the flotilla showed passengers seated in a semi-circle, wearing lifejackets as they awaited interception. The broadcast cut off shortly afterwards,” the Guardian reported, while adding:
“Our vessels are being illegally intercepted,” a message on the flotilla’s Instagram page read on Wednesday evening. “Cameras are off-line and vessels have been boarded by military personnel. We are actively working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board.”
According to Sky news, activists they contacted said military personnel have boarded vessels in the Gaza aid flotilla. However, Israel says it had just warned the ships to change course.
Israel had previously warned the flotilla’s vessels not to approach Gaza.
Israel launched an all-out offensive against Hamas forces controlling Gaza after the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks and incursions by the latter into southern Israel. Nearly 2,000 Israeli and third country civilians and security forces were killed in the surprise attack, while 251 security forces and civilians were taken hostage. Forty-eight hostages are still being held by Hamas – 20 of whom are still believed to be alive, according to the BBC.
