Gaza Aid Flotilla Continues Mission Despite Israeli Military Confrontation and European Withdrawal

A humanitarian flotilla headed to Gaza with relief supplies for the war-devastated Palestinian territory announced Wednesday its determination to proceed despite what organizers described as "intimidation tactics" from Israeli military forces.

The convoy of approximately 45 vessels, carrying activists and political figures including Swedish environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg and Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela, left Spain last month intending to break through the blockade on Gaza, where the United Nations has confirmed famine conditions exist.

"Israeli occupation naval forces launched an intimidatory operation against the Global Sumud Flotilla in the early morning hours," stated organizers as the vessels neared Egyptian waters, where previous aid attempts have been intercepted.

Both Spain and Italy, which deployed naval vessels to escort the flotilla, have urged the ships to refrain from entering Israel's declared exclusion zone surrounding Gaza.

Following its departure from Spain, the flotilla paused in Tunisia for 10 days—during which organizers reported two drone attacks—before continuing its journey on September 15.

According to the group, whose name "Sumud" translates to "steadfastness" in Arabic, one of the flotilla's main vessels, the Alma, "was aggressively circled by an Israeli warship for several minutes." The statement continued, "Shortly after, the same naval vessel targeted Sirius, repeating similar harassing manoeuvres for an extended period of time—before finally departing."

Marie Mesmeur, a French lawmaker from the radical left-wing LFI party aboard the Sirius, informed AFP that she observed at least two unidentified ships, one positioned "very, very close." She also reported "a military patrol boat with a huge light pointed at us," noting that during the incident, all radar and internet communications on their vessel were disrupted.

In a separate statement on X, the flotilla announced it remained "vigilant as we enter the area where the previous flotillas were intercepted and/or attacked."

Israel has previously blocked two activist attempts to deliver aid by sea to Gaza, in June and July. In June, Israeli forces intercepted the sailboat Madleen with 12 activists aboard, including Thunberg, approximately 185 kilometers (115 miles) west of Gaza.

As of 0530 GMT, the Global Sumud Flotilla reported its position in the Mediterranean north of the Egyptian coast, approaching within 120 nautical miles (approximately 220 kilometers) of Palestinian territory.

"We sail on undeterred by Israeli threats and tactics of intimidation," stated the flotilla, which also includes French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau.

Italy and Spain dispatched naval vessels to escort the flotilla following UN and EU condemnation of "attacks" reported near the Greek island of Crete last week, when organizers claimed drones dropped explosive devices on the activists' ships.

Spain's Minister for Digital Transformation Oscar Lopez urged the flotilla on Wednesday not to enter Israel's declared exclusion zone, which extends 150 nautical miles from Gaza. "Our message to the flotilla has been clear: do not enter that zone," he told Spanish public television, adding that Spain's naval escort would not proceed into the exclusion area.

Similarly, Italy urged the activists to "stop now" on Wednesday after its frigate halted at the 150-nautical-mile boundary, broadcasting radio messages requesting the activists to abandon their mission.

The activists characterized Spain and Italy's decision as an attempt to "sabotage" their humanitarian efforts.