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Israeli military intercepted and detained crew members from the Global Sumud Flotilla on Wednesday as the humanitarian convoy attempted to reach Gaza, according to organizers of the relief mission.
The Israeli military boarded the Alma, one of more than 50 vessels in the flotilla carrying medical supplies and aid to the besieged territory, activists said. Crew members from the Alma were detained by Israeli military. Communications were severed from most ships as approximately 20 Israeli warships surrounded the convoy.
The interception came hours after the Israeli militarycontacted the flotilla by radio and demanded the ships change course. "We will stop your vessel and initiate seizure procedures," the Israeli navy warned over Channel 16, according to a statement from the flotilla.
Israeli warships surrounded the Alma from both sides before boarding the vessel, according to Yasemin Acar, a member of the Global Sumud Flotilla Committee. "The Israeli military is now surrounding the Alma ship from both sides, they came very close, we are taking our positions and we are ready to be stopped," Acar said.
Turkish activist Dilek Tekocak, aboard the Sirius vessel, said Israeli ships closed to within 10 minutes of the flotilla. "We've gone to high alert status on the Sirius. We were told there are 12 ships ahead of us. They're 10 minutes away from us," Tekocak said before communications were disrupted.
Crew members donned life jackets and assembled on deck in preparation for the expected Israeli action. Tekocak urged supporters to gather at major city squares and outside the U.S. consulate in Istanbul if authorities moved against the flotilla.
Tekocak said the flotilla had previously been "harassed" twice by military boats and that internet connections and radio signals were cut when military vessels approached. She said activists would discard their phones to prevent access to personal information when military ships drew near.
"We are a nonviolent group carrying humanitarian aid. If there is any intervention, we will not resist, we will show passive resistance. We have already said this many times," Tekocak said.
The convoy, named "Sumud" — Arabic for steadfastness — includes representatives from civil society organizations, doctors, lawyers, journalists, artists, politicians and activists from 44 countries. The flotilla was expected to reach Gaza Thursday morning if unimpeded, making it the largest such convoy to attempt breaking the blockade.
Israel and Palestinian airspace was closed Wednesday evening as the confrontation unfolded at sea.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said before the interception that he did not believe Israel would take such action. "The Global Sumud Flotilla is moving in international waters. I don't think Israel will commit such madness," Kurtulmus said.
The flotilla had broadcast its mission over radio to Israeli military: "We are a peaceful, nonviolent, humanitarian solidarity mission for our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza. Our mission is in accordance with international law. Any attempts to prevent or disrupt this mission are contrary to international law. We want you to know that the whole world is with us. You will be held responsible for any hostile action against our flotilla."
Another Turkish activist, Emin Aydin, said interventions had begun against ships at the front of the convoy. "Israel may launch an attack to stop us. Please pray for us; we need your prayers. Our captain called us to the deck and asked us to put on our life jackets. Our only hope is to reach Gaza. There isn't the slightest fear among us; we're ready for an attack at any moment," Aydin said.
The term "Sumud" became significant to Palestinians after the 1967 Six-Day War, symbolizing their determination to remain on their land, preserve their culture and identity, and resist occupation through nonviolent civil disobedience.
Organizers confirmed that Türkiye's Ministry of National Defense had earlier evacuated 11 people from the flotilla, though circumstances of that operation were not detailed.
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