19.05.2026 20:11
An Israeli military vessel struck the Sirius boat in the Global Sumud Fleet, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Satellite contact with the boat was lost, and no news has been received from those on board.
It has been reported that an Israeli naval vessel rammed the stern of the Sirius boat in the Global Sumud Fleet, which aimed to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, causing the boat to lose satellite connection.
ISRAELI VESSEL DELIBERATELY RAMS FLEET BOAT
A statement was made by the Global Sumud Fleet Crisis Desk regarding the latest status of the Sirius boat in the fleet.
In the statement, it was reported that the Israeli naval vessel "created artificial waves with military maneuvers and sprayed high-pressure water" to stop the Sirius boat, which was sailing in international waters toward Gaza, and that the naval vessel rammed the stern of the boat.
Stressing that this intervention directly targeted the safety of activists and crew on board, the statement said, "The fleet's lead vessel, Sirius, has been subjected to an unlawful and barbaric attack by the Israeli navy."
"A CLEAR ACT OF PIRACY"
Noting that the Israeli naval vessel physically rammed the "civilian and unarmed" aid boat and aimed to "destabilize it, creating a risk of sinking," the statement added, "With this intervention, Israel has clearly violated international maritime rules."
The statement said, "Israel's dangerous intervention constitutes a clear act of piracy. Our satellite connection with the Sirius boat was lost due to the collision. The fate of the activists is unknown."
Emphasizing that Israel bears full responsibility for the safety of civilians, the statement underlined that all international mechanisms, especially the United Nations (UN), must be urgently mobilized against Israel's "lawless attitude."
ISRAELI ARMY ATTACKS ON THE GLOBAL SUMUD FLEET
The Global Sumud Fleet's 2026 Spring Mission, which aimed to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip and deliver vital humanitarian aid, faced an unlawful intervention by the Israeli army on the night of April 29, a few nautical miles outside Greek territorial waters off the coast of Crete Island.
In its attack in international waters, 600 nautical miles from Gaza, the Israeli army detained and mistreated 177 activists.
The Israeli army launched another attack on the fleet, comprising 426 activists from 39 countries, on May 18 while it was sailing in international waters toward Gaza, unlawfully detaining a number of activists.
In August 2025, the Israeli army also carried out a similar attack on the Global Sumud Fleet, which was heading to Gaza with over 40 boats carrying 500 activists from more than 44 countries.