Jerusalem: A flotilla that carries help to Gaza said Wednesday that the Israeli forces intercepted their last attempt to break an Israeli block of the Palestinian territory hit by war.
The Sumud Global Flotilla, around 45 vessels that carry activists and politicians, including the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, left Spain last month with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory, where the UN says that it has been established.
“The warships are moving to intercept the flotilla, only 81 nautical miles remain to Gaza,” said the contingent Maghreb of the Global Sumud flotilla in a statement.
French politics Marie Mesmeur and the Franco-Palestinian Eurodiputa Rima Hassan also reported that her ships were being intercepted.
Fleet naval escorts leave after Spain, Italy warns against the entry of ‘Exclusion Zone’
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barot published in X that the Israeli authorities were “addressing” the flotilla.
Previously, the Israeli Navy warned the flotilla that they do not enter the waters under their blockade.
“The Israeli Navy approached the … Flotilla and asked them to change course,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. “Israel has informed the flotilla that is approaching an active combat zone and violating a legal naval block.”
Spain and Italy, who sent naval escorts, had urged the ships to stop before entering the declared exclusion zone of Israel in Gaza.
After a 10 -day stop in Tunisia, where the organizers reported two drone attacks, the flotilla resumed their trip on September 15.
One of its main ships, the soul, was “aggressively surrounded by an Israeli warship,” said the group, before another container, the Sirius, was subject to “similar harassment maneuvers.”
‘Stop now’
The flotilla had previously promised to move forward with its attempt to deliver help to the devastated coastal territory despite intimidation tactics by the Israeli army.
He said that in X he remained “vigilant when we entered the area where the previous floats were intercepted and/or attacked.”
Israel blocked similar attempts in June and July.
Around 1500 GMT on Wednesday, the flotilla said it was less than 170 kilometers from the Gaza Strip.
“We sail without flinching for the threats and tactics of Israeli intimidation,” said the flotilla, which also leads to Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter, Mandla Mandela and Rima Hassan, a member of the Franco-Palestinian European Parliament.
The Minister of Digital Transformation of Spain, Oscar López, had urged the flotilla not to cross the declared exclusion zone of Israel, extending 150 nautical miles of Gaza.
“Our message to the flotilla has been clear: do not enter that area,” he told Spanish public television, he added that the naval escort of Spain would not become the area of exclusion.
Italy also urged activists to “stop now” after their frigate also stopped at the limit of 150 nautical miles, transmitting radio messages to the ships of the activists asking them to leave their mission.
The activists said that the decision of Spain and Italy was an attempt to “sabotage” their efforts.
South Africa requested “the greatest restriction and caution against any unilateral action that can intensify the situation or endanger human life.”
He said that “the security and physical integrity of all unarmed participants aboard the flotilla, including South African citizens, are of the utmost importance.”
In a joint statement, Italy and Greece appealed to the Israeli authorities to “guarantee the safety and integrity of flotilla participants.”
Rome and Athens also urged the flotilla to “refrain from any initiative that can be exploited by those who still reject peace.”
Posted in Dawn, October 2, 2025
