18.05.2026 11:01
The Global Sumud Fleet, which set out to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the region, continues its journey across the Mediterranean. The fleet, which had been waiting off the coast of Antalya for some time due to adverse weather conditions, has resumed movement after the storm subsided. The fleet, consisting of hundreds of volunteers from 39 different countries, has once again become a target of Israel.
The Global Sumud Fleet, which set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, announced that they were harassed by the Israeli army in the Mediterranean. In a statement from the fleet, it was reported that contact was lost with one of the boats.
“TWO WARSHIPS SIGHTED AROUND THE BOATS” In a statement by the Global Sumud Fleet, it was stated that two warships were seen around the fleet's boats in the Mediterranean. The statement said, “Two warships were sighted around the boats in the Mediterranean. We lost contact with one of our boats that was being harassed by the Israeli army.”
Israeli soldiers attacking the ship captured on camera... “OPERATION” CLAIM IN ISRAELI PRESS In a report on Israel's state television KAN, it was claimed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would hold a security meeting during the day. The report alleged that operational plans against the Global Sumud Fleet would be discussed at the meeting. It was further claimed that Netanyahu would authorize the military to intervene against the fleet aiming to deliver aid to Gaza and break the blockade. While it was stated that Israel would not allow the naval blockade on Gaza to be broken, it was noted that a possible intervention against the fleet could occur “in the coming hours.”
STATEMENT FROM ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a written statement on the matter. The statement emphasized that the Tel Aviv administration would not allow the naval blockade on Gaza to be broken, while activists participating in the Global Sumud Fleet were asked to change their course and return.
INTERVENTION ALSO PREVIOUSLY The Global Sumud Fleet 2026 Spring Mission had previously been subjected to intervention by the Israeli army. In an intervention reportedly carried out in international waters off the coast of Crete Island on the night of April 29, it was claimed that an operation was conducted on the boats carrying the activists. It was alleged that the Israeli army detained 177 activists in an area approximately 600 nautical miles from Gaza and mistreated them.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the Israeli army also intervened in August 2025 against more than 40 boats carrying over 500 activists from more than 44 countries.