The Mediterranean waters once again became the stage for confrontation on Wednesday, October 1st, when the Global Sumud Flotilla, a coalition of more than four dozen boats carrying 497 participants from over 46 countries with humanitarian aid for Gaza, encountered Israeli military action much before reaching Palestinian waters.
Like the attacks on a similar previous voyage—Handala—the fresh assaults on Global Sumud Flotilla have escalated tensions. According to the activists on board, the Israeli naval vessels intercepted and boarded several ships in international waters. They have started dismantling security and surveillance systems on these boats.
Before launching the attack, Israel accused the Global Sumud Flotilla of having ties with the Islamic resistance movement Hamas. The Israelis claimed they had recovered documents that prove such a nexus, an allegation that prompted massive trolling on social media.
EXPOSED: Official Hamas documents found in the Gaza Strip – now revealed for the first time – prove Hamas’ direct involvement in the funding and execution of the “Sumud” flotilla to Gaza
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) September 30, 2025
Hamas documents that were discovered in the Gaza Strip, and are being revealed for the first… pic.twitter.com/arcbcqh2Kx
According to the flotilla’s organisers, the first signs of escalation came around 8:30pm Gaza time. Multiple boats — including the Alma, the Sirius and the Adara — were reportedly intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces.
Videos emerging from Sirius and others have shown that they have been intercepted by Israeli forces on international waters.
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s media office accused Israel of deliberately sabotaging communications before the boarding, suggesting that naval vessels “intentionally damaged ship communications” in order to block distress signals and prevent live-streaming of events.
EMERGENCY: ISRAEL ATTACKS GSF ⁰⁰Israel has attacked the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters. People of conscience have been abducted.⁰⁰The flotilla broke no laws. What is illegal is Israel’s genocide, Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, and the Israel’s use of… pic.twitter.com/IwqLzs274r
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) October 1, 2025
By the time signals were lost with several other boats, uncertainty gripped the coalition. Organisers admitted that they could not account for all participants and crew. “We are diligently working to account for all participants and crew. We will share updates as soon as we have confirmed information about the status of boats, detentions, injuries and potential casualties,” the organisation said in a statement issued that evening.
“This is an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians in international waters,” the statement continued, urging governments, world leaders and international institutions to demand the release and safety of those on board. Despite the interceptions, the Global Sumud Flotilla declared that it remained 70 nautical miles from Gaza’s coastline and would press on “undeterred”.
An Italian warship, followed by a Spanish one, had initially shadowed the flotilla to provide a measure of protection, but retreated to avoid direct confrontation with Israel. That left the coalition exposed at sea.
Reports emerging later indicated that after issuing warnings, Israeli forces charged on the vessels, escalating tensions further. The activists had warned in the late afternoon that as their boats approached the Palestinian waters, over two dozen boats started approaching them.
Videos released by both sides showed the intense verbal duel. While the Israeli forces demanded that the Global Sumud Flotilla change its course and move to Ashdod.
The Israeli official told the activists that they can unload their aid at the Ashdod Port, which, she claimed, will be sent to Gaza after a security check.
Responding to her, an activist said that they are aware that their mission is legal according to international laws, and it’s Israel which is committing a genocide in Gaza.
The activist cited the International Court of Justice’s interim order that states a blockade of the international aid flow into Gaza is an act of crime.
The activist also called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal, citing a past International Criminal Court warrant against him.
🚨 BREAKING: GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA Leader Thiago Avila WRECKS IDF Soldier
— Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) October 1, 2025
Israel is threatening to confiscate their boats https://t.co/q6cSi8Eatd pic.twitter.com/TWZrEv1233
In July, Israel attacked Handala in the international waters and abducted all activists onboard.
Earlier, in June, when the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s (FFC) Madleen approached the Palestinian water, Israeli forces seized the boat on international waters. Israel arrested all activists on board.
In May, Israel bombed the FFC’s boat, Conscience, in international waters near the coast of Malta. To avert Israel’s targeting of single boats, the FFC decided to launch the campaign with nearly 500 people from all parts of the world.
Meanwhile, as the Global Sumud Flotilla boats face Israeli attacks, the FFC has announced that a mission carrying dozens of international journalists and medical professionals from over 25 countries has sailed for Gaza on September 30th.
The Conscience, which suffered Israeli attacks in May, has returned to the sea and is carrying the media personalities and the medical professionals.
“For nearly two years, Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza, creating one of the most severe and sustained press blackouts in modern history. During this time, Israeli forces have targeted Palestinian journalists, killing over 270 and imprisoning countless more since October 2023,” the FFC said in a statement released earlier on Wednesday.
“Simultaneously, Israel has systematically dismantled Gaza’s healthcare system through relentless siege and bombardment. Hospitals and clinics have been destroyed, while Palestinian medical workers have been starved, abducted, tortured and killed. International medical teams are routinely barred from entering — and those few allowed in are prohibited from bringing lifesaving equipment and supplies,” it added.
“The Conscience is the latest and largest boat in this historic flotilla— and its name represents not only steadfast resistance to Israel’s illegal blockade, but a call to awaken the conscience of the world,” said Huwaida Arraf, FFC steering committee member aboard the ship.
“As journalists and medical professionals, we carry the responsibility to speak truth and preserve life. This mission is an appeal to our colleagues — and to the institutions that represent us globally — to break their silence, uphold their ethics, and stand on the right side of history,” said Dr Ricardo Corradini, a general surgeon from Italy.
According to the FFC, Conscience follows the departure of 10 boats that set sail for Gaza on September 25th and 27th.
While the Israeli attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla intensify, thousands have hit the streets in Italy, where the unions have called for a strike on Friday.
Israel’s attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla have also prompted global protests. Several renowned personalities have condemned the attacks on the unarmed activists.
As I watch Israel's illegal abduction of the only humans who have risked their lives to break Israel's unlawful blockade, my thoughts are with the people of Gaza, trapped in Israel's killing fields.
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) October 1, 2025
Shame on Western governments first and foremost, and their complicit inaction. https://t.co/g2BQkkNTlB
Several other European countries also experienced public outbursts. As several European FFC members may now face imprisonment, it can trigger massive discontent in Europe, despite some of the continent’s leaders’ Palestine recognition spree.
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