Israeli forces raided the Global Sumud Flotilla overnight, intercepting at least 21 of the 41 vessels as of Thursday morning. Israeli occupation forces boarded ships, detained activists, and unleashed chemical-laced water cannons, as some boats continue to sail towards Gaza.
At 8:20 pm Gaza time on Wednesday, flotilla organizers reported spotting more than 20 unidentified vessels three nautical miles ahead, according to a statement posted to their Telegram channel. Minutes later, Israeli occupation forces radio delivered a stark threat, “If you continue on your route and attempt to breach the blockade, we will stop your vessel.”
“We are a nonviolent, humanitarian mission. We carry only food, water filters, baby formula, crutches. Under international law, you are not allowed to stop us,” flotilla steering committee member Thiago Ávila responded defiantly. “Ordinary people risk their lives because governments have failed to act,” he affirmed through the onboard dispatch.
“This is an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians in international waters. We call on governments, world leaders, and international institutions to demand the safety and release of all on board,” said the flotilla on Telegram
Footage from the vessel Aurora showed the Florida boat being rammed. Other ships, including Yulara, Meteque, Ohwayla, Maria Cristina, and Paola I, were blasted with skunk water fired from cannons. Activists onboard released footage showing boats being drenched by pressurized liquid shot from Israeli vessels.
https://x.com/pawelwargan/status/1973545121779175575?t=3s7tyJVmx3RybLJIxZZQjw&s=19
Organizers accused Israeli naval forces of jamming communications, cutting livestreams, and blocking distress signals. Onboard the Sirius, activist Lisi Proença reported that “Israeli ships were circling the Sirius boat, they suspended our communications, we didn’t have any internet or functioning cameras anymore.”
The Adara, carrying 23 passengers from Spain, Brazil, the UK, Denmark, Mexico, Argentina, Serbia, Portugal, and Finland, was boarded by Israeli forces. Several passengers had pre-recorded videos to be released on Telegram if detained. “If you are watching this video, it means I was kidnapped by the IOF forces in international waters” said Portuguese MP Mariana Rodrigues Mortágua.
British citizen Saddaqat Khan said “If you’re watching this video, I’ve been abducted and taken against my will by Israeli forces.” Catalan activist Adria Plazas Vidal appealed to his government through Telegram to “end its complicity with Israel. Stop the genocide. Free Palestine.”
Among those detained was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, aboard the Alma. This is her second attempt as part of a global flotilla to break the siege on Gaza, and her second detention. The Alma’s live feed was cut sporadically, showing activists being ushered off the boat with their hands raised in surrender. The feed went dark, then resumed, revealing an empty deck.
At 3:20 am Thursday, organizers reported that 13 ships had been intercepted while 30 vessels continued sailing towards Gaza, now just 46 nautical miles away. “The Israeli interceptions won’t deter us,” their statement read in English and Arabic. “We continue our mission to break the siege and open a humanitarian corridor.”
Global Sumud Flotilla vessel, the Mikeno (Al-Bireh) successfully enters Gaza's territorial waters (last update: 9:23 am GMT+3), Oct. 2, 2025.By 9:45 am Gaza time, flotilla organizers reported that 23 ships were still on course for Gaza. Soon after, the Mikeno became the first civilian vessel to enter Gaza’s waters. Kuwaiti activist Omar Althuwaini announced in a video, “We have broken the maritime siege and entered Gaza’s waters as the first civilian ship.” As of 11 am on Thursday, 223 international activists are in Israeli custody, their fate yet unknown.
As the flotilla came under attack, it reported through Telegram protests erupting across European cities, including Barcelona, Naples, Berlin, Athens, Brussels, and Turin, in solidarity with the mission and against Israel’s blockade and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. In Italy, demonstrations escalated into a call for nationwide strike next Friday, with thousands already marching in Rome, Milan, and Naples, according to Reuters.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, composed of more than 40 vessels and activists from 44 countries, had called on their governments and international bodies to escort the convoy, guarantee safe passage, and enforce humanitarian access to Gaza. Italy and Spain had deployed frigates to supposedly protect the flotilla for a few days, but later pulled back their naval forces once the flotilla approached the “danger zone.”
“Failure in government action is why this and other flotillas have had to exist,” the organizers added. “Every day, people are sailing into danger because governments have failed to act over and over again.”
