01.10.2025 21:10
The Global Sumud Fleet, which set out to break the blockade on Gaza, was met with Israeli threats after entering a high-risk area. As the fleet went to a high alert level, the Sumud organizers stated, "The Israeli ships we see on the radar are right in front of us."
It has been reported that approximately 12 warships belonging to Israel are 3 miles away from the Global Sumud Fleet, and those in the fleet have gone on high alert in preparation for a possible intervention.
A critical development occurred as the Sumud Fleet approached Gaza to break the Israeli blockade while entering a high-risk area.
ISRAELI WARSHIPS HAVE MOVED
As the Global Sumud Fleet continues its advance aimed at breaking the blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip, Israel has taken action to obstruct the fleet. It was announced that approximately 20 warships belonging to Israel are 3 miles away from the Global Sumud Fleet.
HIGH ALERT STATUS HAS BEEN DECLARED
It was also reported that those in the fleet have gone on high alert in preparation for a possible intervention. Activists in the fleet stated that they expect an Israeli intervention within 1 hour. As a preparation for the intervention, activists gathered on the decks of their ships wearing life jackets. They expressed that they would not use violence in the event of an Israeli intervention.
Thiago Avila, a member of the Global Sumud Fleet Committee, stated, "We are approaching a decisive moment in our mission. Right now, we are approaching Israel's military blockade." Avila noted that there are many ships in the area, indicating that this situation overlaps with Israel's plans to stop the fleet.
ISRAEL REQUESTED TO CHANGE THE COURSE
In a statement made on behalf of the fleet, it was mentioned that a state of emergency has been declared. The statement included, "We have declared a state of emergency. Signals are being cut off. We expect an intervention within 1 hour," and it was stated, "The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) contacted us and requested that we change our course."
"ISRAELI SHIPS ARE RIGHT IN FRONT OF US"
On the other hand, Sumud Organizers stated that Israeli ships are getting closer, saying, "The Israeli ships we see on the radar are right in front of us."
TURKISH ACTIVIST: WE HAVE NO FEAR
Activist Dilek Tekocak, who is part of the Global Sumud Fleet, also stated to CNN Türk that the Gaza Fleet has gone on alert.
Tekocak said, "It was reported that there are 12 ships within a 10-minute distance from us." She added, "We were harassed early in the morning. There are many drones above us. The entire Sumud Fleet is on alert against a possible intervention. None of us are afraid right now. We are on standby. We are unarmed; we are a civilian initiative. If there is any intervention, we will not resist; we will show passive resistance.
We are currently waiting on the decks with our life jackets on. If there is an intervention, I invite all people to gather in the largest squares of their cities, and citizens in Istanbul to gather in front of the US consulate. We know that there are conscientious people all over the world who are also passengers of a Sumud Fleet. Therefore, if there is an intervention against the fleet, we ask you to keep Gaza and Sumud on the agenda," she stated.
MINISTRY OF DEFENSE EVACUATED 11 PEOPLE
Meanwhile, during the day, a "evacuation" call came from the fleet to Turkey. Following the call, the Ministry of National Defense took action. The Ministry of National Defense announced that 11 people, including 3 Turks, were evacuated from the Sumud Fleet.
THEY ARE ADVANCING TO BREAK THE BLOCKADE
The Global Sumud Fleet, consisting of representatives from civil society organizations, doctors, lawyers, journalists, artists, politicians, and activists from 44 different countries, has been heading towards Gaza for days. The fleet carries a significant amount of humanitarian aid, especially medical supplies.
If there is no attack from Israel, the fleet is expected to reach Gaza tomorrow morning, and it is the largest fleet to have collectively headed towards Gaza so far.
The term "Sumud," which means "steadfastness" or "unyielding determination" in Arabic, has become a concept among the Palestinian people to describe resistance and resilience following the Six-Day War in 1967.
The concept of Sumud expresses the search for ways to resist occupation and build alternative institutions through remaining on Palestinian land, keeping Palestinian identity and culture alive, and non-violent civil disobedience. In Palestine, the olive tree and a pregnant peasant woman are used to depict this concept.