Sumud Flotilla Presses Toward Gaza as Israeli Interceptions Fail
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, pushed deeper into high-risk waters on Wednesday, dismissing Israeli interception attempts as it sailed closer to the besieged enclave.
The fleet announced it had entered waters 150 nautical miles (278km) from Gaza, an area where previous missions were blocked or violently attacked by Israeli forces.
Wael Naouar, a spokesman for the flotilla’s Maghreb branch, said Israeli naval units tried to stop two lead ships — the Alma and Sirius — but both attempts failed.
“The Zionist vessels today intercepted Alma, the lead ship, but the other ships ignored Alma and continued toward Gaza,” Naouar said in a statement on Facebook. He added that when Israeli forces turned on Sirius, “the rest of the flotilla ignored Sirius and continued their journey to Gaza.”
According to Naouar, Israeli warships then tried to split the flotilla from multiple directions, but all vessels held course. He described the maneuver as a futile display of intimidation: “Even if you stop 47 vessels, the 48th will continue on to Gaza.”
Earlier in the day, a large Israeli warship shadowed the flotilla, heightening fears of escalation. An Al Jazeera correspondent on board said contact with the Alma was briefly lost after Israeli forces came within five feet of the vessel, jamming its engine and communications. Passengers reportedly threw their phones into the sea as part of security protocols.
The correspondent later said the Israeli vessel withdrew, allowing the Alma to rejoin the flotilla as it pressed toward Gaza.
International pressure has mounted for the flotilla to be left unharmed. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese and Colombian President Gustavo Petro urged Israel not to interfere.
Ships from Spain and Italy have been accompanying the convoy to bolster its safe passage, while Turkish drones have been observed monitoring the area. Italy, however, said its frigate would withdraw.
Organizers said live video feeds have been made available to ensure transparency and protect the activists on board.
Israel has vowed to halt the convoy, claiming the volunteers intend to breach a “lawful naval blockade.” But the flotilla insists it is exercising its right under international law to deliver humanitarian relief to Gaza, where more than 66,000 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed since October 2023 under relentless Israeli bombardment that has left the enclave starving and uninhabitable.
