International Desk (EFE).- The Global Sumud Flotilla, that attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, reported on Wednesday being intercepted by vessels identifying themselves as Israeli while sailing near the coast of Greece.
«Our boats were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as “israel”, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees,» the Flotilla explained on its X account.
The organization also reported that the communications of their vessels were being intercepted.
The approach by the Israeli vessels occurred in the waters separating the Greek peninsula of the Peloponnese and the island of Crete, according to the Flotilla’s own tracker, about one hundred kilometers (54 nautical miles) off the Cretan coast.
The Flotilla posted a radio message on X, transmitted from the military vessels to the Flotilla’s boats, where someone can be heard identifying themselves as «IDF,» the acronym for the Israel Defense Forces.
«Please change your course and return to your port of origin (…) Any further attempt to sail toward Gaza, places your safety at risk and leaves the IDF with no choice but to take all necessary measures at its disposal to enforce the lawful maritime security blockade» on the Strip, the radio transmission stated.
It further added that if the Flotilla continues attempting to break the blockade, “we will stop your vessel and act to seize it.»
The Israeli Army has not officially confirmed carrying out this operation, despite several local media reporting it as such and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs posting a message on X showing images purportedly of the cargo on the Flotilla’s boats, as if they had already boarded a ship.
«This is the “medical aid” found aboard the PR stunt flotilla: condoms and drugs,» wrote Tel Aviv’s Foreign Ministry account, accompanying the message with a video and several plastic envelopes.
A total of 58 boats are part of the Global Sumud flotilla, which departed on Sunday from the Italian port of Augusta (south). The flotilla planned to cross Greek waters, head toward the Turkish coast, and ultimately reach the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid.
According to the organizers, this is the largest coordinated civilian maritime mobilization of the mission to date.
In October 2025, this initiative already organized a crossing with more than 50 boats, which were intercepted as they approached Israel. EFE
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