A flotilla of more than 40 boats carrying humanitarian aid and over 500 activists is pressing ahead toward Gaza despite reporting a tense confrontation with an Israeli warship early Wednesday.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which includes Italian politicians and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, claims one of its lead vessels, Alma, was “aggressively circled” by an Israeli naval vessel for several minutes before its communications were cut off.
Activists said the Israeli boat forced evasive maneuvers, while another flotilla ship, Sirius, was also harassed in a similar fashion.
Thiago Avila, aboard Alma, said the ship’s devices, including cameras and livestream equipment, were disabled during the encounter. Lisi Proenca, on Sirius, reported a 15-minute standoff in which their communications were similarly disrupted.
The flotilla insists the incident was an attempt at intimidation, though Israel has not issued an official response.
Israel has repeatedly vowed not to allow such missions to break its naval blockade of Gaza. Two previous attempts to deliver aid by sea were blocked in June and July. Authorities in Jerusalem argue that the flotilla is linked to Hamas, though no evidence has been publicly presented.
At around 14:43 GMT Wednesday, the flotilla was reported to be less than 90 nautical miles from Gaza’s coastline. Previous flotillas have been intercepted around that distance, but experts suggest Israel may wait to act closer to its territorial waters, particularly due to the presence of Italian and Spanish naval escorts.
Italy and Greece have both urged Israel to guarantee the safety of the activists while also calling on the flotilla to accept a compromise: offload aid in Cyprus for distribution by the Catholic Church.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned the journey could undermine efforts toward peace, while Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged activists to reroute aid through Ashkelon or other regional ports.
The episode follows a string of tense incidents. Last week, the flotilla accused Israel of a drone attack and communications jamming off Crete, prompting Italy and Spain to dispatch naval escorts. Israel declined to comment but reiterated claims that the initiative is being exploited by Hamas.
Pope Leo XIV added his voice on Wednesday, stressing the importance of restraint and expressing concern for the safety of those aboard. Greta Thunberg, meanwhile, defended her participation, rejecting accusations that the mission was a publicity stunt.
“I don’t think anyone would risk their life for a publicity stunt,” she told the BBC.
The voyage comes against the backdrop of a newly announced U.S. peace plan for Gaza, which proposes a ceasefire, the release of 20 Israeli hostages, and the return of remains in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Yet the activists insist their mission is separate from political negotiations, framing it as a direct humanitarian challenge to what they describe as an unlawful blockade.
The flotilla has vowed to reach Gaza by Thursday morning, despite mounting pressure from governments and the threat of interception by the Israeli navy.