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The Global Sumud Flotilla said Tuesday its vessels have come under repeated harassment at sea, reporting explosions, drones and communications jamming as the humanitarian convoy sails toward the Gaza Strip.
“Multiple drones, unidentified objects dropped, communications jammed, and explosions heard from several boats,” the flotilla said in a statement, without reporting casualties.
In a post on X, organizers said drones appeared “roughly every 10 minutes” over the Alma, one of the ships in the convoy.
“We believe these drones are intended to intimidate, potentially gathering intelligence for Israel,” the group said, later describing the incidents as “psychological operations” meant to scare activists.
“The lengths to which Israel and its allies will go to prolong the horrors of starvation and genocide in Gaza are sickening,” the flotilla wrote.
“But our resolve is stronger than ever. These tactics will not deter us from our mission to deliver aid to Gaza and break the illegal siege.”
U.N. Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese urged urgent action, warning on X that the flotilla “has been attacked 7 times in a short span,” citing sound bombs, explosive flares, suspected chemical sprays, and blocked distress calls.
“Immediate international attention AND PROTECTION required!” she wrote.
Activist Yasemin Acar posted a video from the Alma declaring, “9th strike. We are under attack in international waters.”
In a separate Instagram message, she reported “15 to 16 big drones” overhead and said radios were being jammed.
The Global Sumud Flotilla—named after the Arabic word for “steadfastness”—set sail from Barcelona earlier this month.
Organizers say its 51 ships are carrying doctors, journalists and activists from around the world. The fleet is currently gathered off the Greek island of Crete.
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It had already been targeted in two suspected drone attacks in Tunisia before resuming its voyage toward Gaza.
Among its high-profile participants is Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
Israel, which enforces a naval blockade of Gaza, said Monday it would not allow the boats to reach the territory.
In June and July, Israeli forces blocked two earlier attempts by activists to deliver aid by sea.
Israeli authorities have not commented on the latest reports. Past aid flotillas have been intercepted, sometimes with violence.
Israel’s war in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to local authorities.
The offensive has devastated the enclave and pushed its population toward famine.
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