GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center )The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have hijacked the two ships “Amal” and “Sirius,” which were part of the Sumud Flotilla, arresting the activists on board and redirecting the vessels to Ashdod Port.
This came shortly after Israeli warships surrounded the flotilla and communications between the ships were cut off.
The Sumud Flotilla had been on high alert in anticipation of an Israeli interception. Around 20 Israeli naval vessels were reportedly observed approaching.
Despite Israeli intimidation tactics and calls from European governments to halt the mission, Flotilla organizers had earlier stated their determination to continue the journey.
At 12:30 GMT, the Flotilla issued a statement saying they were in the Mediterranean Sea, north of the Egyptian coast, about 118 nautical miles (approximately 220 kilometers) from Palestinian territory. The statement said, “Early this morning, Israeli naval forces carried out an intimidation operation against the Flotilla.”
It added that the main ship “Amal” was aggressively encircled by an Israeli warship for several minutes. Remote communications were disrupted, forcing the captain to make a sudden maneuver to avoid direct collision.
Shortly after, the same Israeli vessel targeted the ship “Sirius” with similar intimidation tactics before eventually withdrawing.
Marie Missmer, a French MP from the “France Unbowed” party and passenger on “Sirius,” reported seeing at least two unidentified ships, one of which came “extremely close.”
She noted that a military intervention vessel “shined a blinding light at us,” and that radar and internet communications were cut off simultaneously, raising the alert level on board.
In a separate statement on X at around 5:00 GMT, the Flotilla announced it would proceed with caution as it entered the area where previous Flotilla were intercepted or attacked, referring to the Madleen and Handala incidents in June and July 2025.
The Flotilla affirmed its commitment to continue its course, undeterred by Israeli threats and intimidation.
Mission and participants
The Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from Spain in late August, includes around 45 ships carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists from over 40 countries.
The Flotilla is delivering baby formula, food, and medical aid, and describes itself as a “peaceful, nonviolent mission.”
Participants include Mandla Mandela (grandson of Nelson Mandela), Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French MEP Rima Hassan, and former mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau.
The aim is to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to a besieged population suffering from starvation and genocide.
Efforts to deter the mission
Italy and Spain deployed naval vessels to protect the Flotilla after it was attacked with drones and incendiary devices on the night of September 23–24.
The Flotilla also reported previous drone attacks while docked in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia, on September 9.
The Spanish government on Wednesday urged the Flotilla not to enter the waters Israel declared off-limits (150 nautical miles from Gaza), stating that its own ship sent to assist the Flotilla would not cross that line.
Later, Spain’s Defense Minister clarified that the warship “Furor” was monitoring the Flotilla but would only intervene if absolutely necessary. She warned that entering the Israeli-declared exclusion zone could endanger lives.
Likewise, an Italian military frigate assigned to escort the Flotilla halted in the “critical” zone 150 nautical miles off Gaza coast and used radio to urge the participants to abandon the mission.
Organizers condemned the Italian move as an attempt to undermine a peaceful humanitarian mission and accused Rome of siding with Israel.
Calls for international protection
South Africa called on Wednesday for “restraint and protection” of the Flotilla, emphasizing that the physical safety of the unarmed participants is paramount and that “any military intervention or seizure of the ships would be a serious violation of international law.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the Flotilla “poses no threat to Israel” and warned the Netanyahu government not to endanger the mission.
Italy and Greece jointly called on Israel to “ensure the safety and security of Flotilla participants,” and encouraged the organizers to consider the Latin Patriarchate’s proposal to deliver aid through official channels.
