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The Global Sumud Flotilla, sailing to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, said Tuesday its vessels are less than 160 nautical miles (296 kilometers) from the enclave and will enter a high-risk zone later tonight.
"We are less than 160 NM from Gaza, 10 NM from the high-risk zone. Stay alert," the flotilla announced on Instagram.
An Al Jazeera correspondent on board reported that unidentified reconnaissance drones were flying at medium altitude over the flotilla’s sailing area in the Mediterranean.
The flotilla’s organizers issued a warning urging international attention. "Our safety depends on the world watching," they said, calling on global supporters to mobilize and demand safe passage.
"An attack on the flotilla is an attack on Palestine," the statement added.
The vessels are carrying humanitarian supplies and international activists as part of efforts to break Israel’s blockade, which has sharply worsened living conditions in Gaza.
Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported on Tuesday that the flotilla had entered Israel’s interception zone. The Israeli Navy is preparing to seize the ships, according to the report.
Israeli authorities plan to transfer activists to a large warship and tow the vessels to the port of Ashdod, with the possibility that some vessels may sink, KAN said.
Israel has ruled out allowing the flotilla to reach Gaza under current political directives.
Earlier, the International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza said on X that the ship Al-Dhamir ("The Conscience"), carrying international doctors and journalists, had departed from the port of Otranto in Italy and was heading toward Gaza.
The flotilla, loaded mainly with humanitarian and medical supplies, began sailing in late August and early September. It marks the first time in years that dozens of ships have attempted to reach Gaza together.
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