Israeli forces intercept Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Greece, organisers say 

Israeli military forces have intercepted vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea, according to organisers, activist accounts, and media reports, as the convoy attempted to sail towards Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, in the Mediterranean Sea, late on Wednesday, 29 April 2026.

Organisers said communications with multiple vessels were lost after Israeli naval forces allegedly surrounded the convoy in international waters, with reports of boarding operations taking place far from Israel’s coast.

Communication loss and reported boarding operations

The Global Sumud Flotilla said on social media that Israeli military boats had “illegally surrounded the flotilla in international waters and threatened kidnapping and violence”.

It added: “Communications with 11 vessels have been lost and Israeli media claims that 7 boats have been intercepted. Governments must act now to protect the flotilla.”

Crew aboard supporting vessel Arctic Sunrise, operated by Greenpeace International, reported that radio warnings were issued at 18:43 UTC (21:43 local time) demanding the flotilla change course, followed by widespread communications jamming.

Greenpeace said jamming affected VHF maritime channels, emergency SOS communications, coordination frequencies, GNSS and Iridium systems, leaving several vessels without contact.

By 03:47 UTC, Greenpeace said: “We have confirmation that multiple vessels of the flotilla have been illegally boarded by Israeli forces and have since lost contact.”

Allegations of military boarding in international waters

The flotilla said its vessels were approached by military speedboats identifying themselves as Israeli forces, with personnel pointing lasers and semi-automatic weapons and ordering participants to move to the front of the boats and kneel. 

Tariq Ra’ouf, an activist aboard one of the flotilla vessels, told Al Jazeera that Israeli naval ships and smaller rigid inflatable boats had surrounded the convoy.

“From those military ships, a bunch of smaller military RIBs began surrounding many of our vessels,” Ra’ouf said. He added that drones were overhead and that communications were being disrupted, including radio transmissions described as “psychological warfare”.

Ra’ouf said: “We’ve lost communication with many of our boats,” adding that the flotilla was travelling in international waters near Crete at the time of the operation.

Gur Tsabar, a spokesperson for the flotilla, described the incident as “a straight-up attack on unarmed civilian boats in international waters”.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Toronto, Tsabar said the flotilla was “surrounded and threatened at gunpoint” hundreds of miles from Israel.

“This is illegal under international law. Israel has no jurisdiction in these waters,” Tsabar said, calling the boarding “potentially kidnapping on the high seas”.

Israeli media and officials confirm naval operation

Israeli Army Radio, cited by multiple outlets, said Israeli naval forces had begun taking control of vessels bound for Gaza far from Israel’s coast.

An Israeli source told the broadcaster KAN that the operation marked the farthest Israeli naval action to date against flotillas attempting to break the blockade.

Israeli media reports also said seven of the flotilla’s vessels had been seized near the Greek island of Crete.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said on social media that the flotilla had been “stopped before reaching our area” and described participants as “delusional attention-seeking agitators”.

Origins and scale of the 2026 flotilla mission 

An international civilian flotilla comprising more than 70 vessels set sail from Barcelona on 12 April 2026, launching the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 mission to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.

The flotilla was created in 2025 by NGO representatives, activists and volunteers from multiple countries, and is now undertaking its second mission.

The Barcelona-based convoy previously sailed in September with 42 boats and 462 participants, while the current mission involves more than 70 boats and close to 1,000 volunteers from around 70 countries. Organisers said participants span nearly 100 countries, combining maritime action with land-based mobilisation and advocacy campaigns.

The flotilla carries symbolic humanitarian supplies including medicines, food and clean water, while pressing for “safe, unhindered humanitarian access” to Gaza.

Al Jazeera reported the flotilla was approximately 600 nautical miles (1,111 km) from Gaza at the time of the interception, compared with a previous furthest interception distance of 72 nautical miles (133 km) from the territory. 

Route and international support

The convoy departed from Port Vell in Barcelona and was scheduled to stop in Syracuse, Italy, and Lerapetra, Greece, before continuing towards Gaza.

Greenpeace confirmed that its vessel, Arctic Sunrise, joined the flotilla to provide logistical and operational maritime support.

Eva Saldaña, executive director of Greenpeace Spain, said the organisation was “proud to answer the call” to join the mission, describing it as “a symbol of hope in action”.

Ghiwa Nakat of Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa said: “This flotilla is a call to governments around the world to end their silence, protect humanitarian action, and act with urgency and principle to uphold international law.”

Calls for international action

Organisers repeatedly urged governments to intervene.

“The Israeli navy cannot silence voices demanding justice,” the flotilla said in a statement cited by Anadolu Agency.

Greenpeace International also called for urgent action, with Pujarini Sen, Project Lead aboard Arctic Sunrise, saying: “Humanitarian assistance must be respected and protected at all times and at all costs.”

Sen added that the international community’s failure to enforce international law “leaves it culpable for Israel’s actions”.

Amnesty International said the Spring 2026 mission includes more than 70 boats and around 3,000 participants, including a medical contingent of 1,000 healthcare professionals.

“The Global Sumud Flotilla is a powerful symbol of international solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas of Amnesty International, adding that Israeli authorities “must ensure safe passage for these unarmed activists”.

She warned: “There must be no repeat of Israel’s unlawful interceptions and arbitrary detentions that occurred in 2025.”

Previous interceptions and Gaza blockade

The 2026 flotilla follows a previous attempt in September 2025 involving 42 vessels and 462 participants, which was intercepted by Israeli forces about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast.

Reports from that mission cited communication disruptions, drone surveillance and forced boarding of vessels. Organisers said preparations for this year’s mission had been strengthened despite ongoing risks.

Al Jazeera reported that Israel also intercepted around 40 boats from a Global Sumud flotilla in October last year, detaining more than 450 participants, including activists such as Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan.

Israel later deported those detained, with some alleging physical and psychological abuse while in custody.

The flotilla aims to break Israel’s long-standing blockade on Gaza, imposed since 2007, and open a humanitarian corridor by sea.

Organisers said the mission also seeks to raise global awareness and increase pressure to address the humanitarian situation in the enclave.

Amnesty International said the continued launch of such civilian missions reflects “the international community’s devastating inaction”.

“The fact that these civilian missions continue to sail in the first place is a direct indictment,” Guevara-Rosas said.