Israel’s Foreign Ministry says the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla has failed to break through the country’s naval blockade. None of the boats managed to enter the active combat zone around Gaza, the ministry announced Thursday.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, officials called the effort a “Hamas-Sumud provocation.” They stressed that the flotilla’s yachts couldn’t breach what Israel describes as its lawful naval blockade, put in place since 2007 to restrict access to Gaza.
All passengers from the stopped vessels are safe and healthy, the ministry confirmed. They’re now heading to an Israeli port before deportation to Europe. One final boat from the group remains at a distance. If it gets too close, Israeli forces will stop it too, officials said.
The Global Sumud Flotilla includes around 50 civilian boats with participants from more than 40 countries. Organizers aimed to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver food and medical aid to Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict.
Earlier, the ministry shared videos on social media showing Israeli navy teams safely intercepting several boats. Among the passengers were Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and her companions, all reported as unharmed and being transferred to shore.
Israel insists the flotilla’s real goal is provocation, not humanitarian aid. The ministry pointed out that Israel, along with Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, offered multiple ways to send any aid directly to Gaza through safe channels. But the group turned down these options, fueling claims it’s more about stirring trouble than helping people.
The Israeli Navy had warned the flotilla to change course, noting the risks of entering an active combat zone and violating the blockade. Again, they repeated the offer to handle aid delivery peacefully.
This comes after Tuesday’s revelation from the ministry: Recovered Hamas documents in Gaza show the terror group directly funded and helped run the Sumud flotilla. Officials released excerpts, translations, and photos linking flotilla organizers to top Hamas leaders, adding weight to Israel’s stance on the mission’s ties to the group.
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