30.04.2026 20:47
The Global Sumud Fleet, which set out to break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid there, was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters. It was determined that there are 18 Turkish activists on the detained ships.
The Global Sumud Fleet, which set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, reported that the Israeli army seized 21 boats in an attack in international waters, 17 surviving boats entered Greek territorial waters, and 14 boats are sailing towards Greek territorial waters. 18 Turkish activists on the fleet were detained.
The 'Spring 2026 Mission' of the Global Sumud Fleet, aiming to break Israel's blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, set sail from Sicily into the Mediterranean with 65 boats. The Israeli navy began intervening in the fleet around 11:00 PM on April 29, approximately 50 miles west of Crete, in international waters. The spring mission was blockaded by warships and drones.
"THEY AIMED THEIR WEAPONS AT US"
In a statement made on social media during the intervention, the Global Sumud Fleet said, "Military boats approached our ships, identified themselves as Israeli vessels, aimed lasers and semi-automatic weapons at us, and ordered participants to move to the front of the boats and kneel."
ISRAEL: WE HAVE BEGUN SEIZING AID FLEET SHIPS
According to a report by Israel Army Radio, an Israeli source stated, "We have begun seizing aid fleet ships away from the Israeli coast." Israel's Channel 12 television reported that one ship in the fleet was captured by the Israeli navy.
In response to a question from an AA correspondent on the matter, the Israeli army noted that the navy is "determined to continue the blockade on Gaza and is prepared for different scenarios."
"ISRAELI FORCES KIDNAPPED CIVILIANS"
The Global Sumud Fleet also issued a written statement regarding the Israeli army's attack on the fleet in international waters. The statement said that Israeli forces "seized" the Global Sumud Fleet boats hundreds of miles from Gaza's coast, "blocked communication, kidnapped civilians, and set a lawless precedent in international waters."
Describing the unlawful abduction of people in the open sea near Crete as "piracy," the statement read, "What we witnessed is an attempt by Israel to normalize control in the Mediterranean and an escalation of Israel's impunity. No state has the right to claim, control, or occupy international waters. Israel has done exactly that."
345 PARTICIPANTS FROM 39 COUNTRIES
Officials from the Global Sumud Fleet Crisis Desk shared information about the boats and participants in the fleet. While 39 boats departing from Spain on April 12 were joined by 20 more boats in Italy, a total convoy of 59 boats set sail towards Gaza on April 26. The fleet also includes 2 observer ships belonging to Open Arms and Greenpeace. Of the 345 participants from 39 different countries in the fleet, 178 joined the ships from Spain and 167 from Italy. Among the participants are 31 Turkish activists.
The names of the Turkish activists on the boats are as follows:
"Ümmü Gülsüm Durmuş, Mustafa Enes Topal, Muhammed Özdemir, Enver Öztürk, Hüseyin Yılmaz, Seyit Ahmet Çapan, Ali Deniz, Yunus Kava, Şahin Yaslık, Mustafa Arslan, Abdulselam Demir, Nevzat Öylek, Nevzat Güzel, Halil Erdoğmuş, Abdüllatif Faslı, Ferzan Çiftçi, Hüseyin Şuayb Ordu, Sibel Can Karakoç, Mehmet Yıldırım, Ömer Aslan, Fatma Zengin, Mehmet Yasir Cebeci, Görkem Duru, Fatih Genç, Mehmet Atlı, Bilali Yıldırım, Mükremin Köse, Salih Tekin, Ramazan Tekdemir, Abdullah Saydemir, Mahmut Çağatay Yavuz."
The Global Sumud Fleet stated, "18 Turkish activists were detained."
IRISH PRESIDENT'S SISTER ALSO ON THE FLEET
Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, who is on the fleet, called on the Irish government in a post. Connolly said, "Please ensure that Shannon Airport is no longer used by the US military. Stop our airport from being used to bomb Gaza and Palestine."
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS REACTS: THE ATTACK IS AN ACT OF PIRACY
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement regarding the intervention by Israeli forces against the Global Sumud Fleet. The statement said, "The attack on the Global Sumud Fleet, established to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, by Israeli forces in international waters is an act of piracy."
Noting that Israel targeted humanitarian values and international law by attacking the Global Sumud Fleet, which aimed to draw attention to the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the oppressed in Gaza, the statement assessed, "This aggression by Israel also violates the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters. We invite the international community to adopt a common stance against this lawless act by Israel."
The statement indicated that all necessary initiatives are being taken regarding the status of Turkish citizens and other passengers on the fleet, in coordination with other relevant countries.
HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS DURAN: UNACCEPTABLE ATTACK
Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran also stated, "The intervention by Israel against the Global Sumud Fleet, which set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, is a clear violation of law and an unacceptable attack."
The continuation of Duran's statement is as follows:
"Targeting this initiative, which represents the conscience of civilians, is a threat not only to aid efforts but to the common values of humanity. Israel has shown with this intervention that it is pursuing piracy in international waters.
The international community should not remain silent against this recklessness; it must take a clear stance in favor of law, justice, and freedom of navigation.
The status of our citizens and other passengers on the fleet is being closely monitored in coordination with relevant countries."