Global Sumud Flotilla Reports Explosions and Drone Attacks En Route to Gaza
The Global Sumud Flotilla, a coalition of international activists attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, reported multiple explosions and drone attacks in international waters as it approached the Gaza Strip, with organizers accusing Israeli forces of escalating efforts to block the mission.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of vessels carrying international activists and humanitarian aid, reported being targeted by a series of explosions and drone attacks as it sailed in international waters toward the Gaza Strip. According to statements released by flotilla organizers and reported by The Jerusalem Post, at least 13 explosions were heard near the vessels, and activists accused Israeli forces of deploying drones and jamming communications as the ships neared Gaza.
The flotilla, which includes participants from over 40 countries, set out with the stated aim of breaking Israel's longstanding naval blockade of Gaza and delivering essential supplies to the besieged enclave. Organizers said the attacks occurred while the ships were still outside Israel's territorial waters, raising concerns about the safety of those on board and the legality of the reported military actions. The Jerusalem Post noted that the flotilla's statement directly accused Israel of escalating its response to the mission, which has drawn international attention due to the involvement of high-profile activists and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israeli officials have not issued a detailed public statement regarding the reported explosions and drone activity. However, Israeli authorities have previously declared that they would not permit any unauthorized vessels to breach the naval blockade, citing security concerns. According to Maktoob Media, this is not the first time the flotilla has reported being targeted by Israeli forces, with previous attempts to reach Gaza also resulting in confrontations at sea.
Fact-checking organizations such as Misbar have cautioned against misinformation circulating on social media, including videos and images falsely attributed to the current flotilla mission. Misbar confirmed that some widely shared footage does not depict the Global Sumud Flotilla, underscoring the challenges of verifying real-time reports from the region.
The incident has prompted renewed calls from human rights groups for independent monitoring of maritime activity in the eastern Mediterranean and for the protection of humanitarian missions. As of the latest reports, the status of the flotilla and its passengers remains uncertain, with organizers urging international bodies to intervene and ensure their safe passage to Gaza.