Gaza: The Global Sumud Flotilla that is sailing to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza announced early Wednesday that its vessels are now around 121 nautical miles (225 kilometers) from the besieged enclave.
According to Anadolu Agency, unidentified vessels approached a number of boats in the flotilla, some with their lights off, prompting the flotilla to apply security protocols in preparation for a potential interception. The vessels have since left the flotilla. The flotilla continues its journey towards Gaza, nearing the critical 120 nautical mile mark where previous flotillas have faced interceptions or attacks.
The flotilla has reported an increase in surveillance, with the number of drones over their ships doubling and intensified jamming of internet and radio signals. Wael Naouar, a spokesperson for the flotilla's Maghreb fleet, communicated on Facebook that all participants are prepared for an interception, which could happen imminently.
Al Jazeera reports that unknown reconnaissance drones are flying at medium altitude over the sailing area of the Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean. Additionally, an Israeli Navy ship has been detected 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the flotilla, according to Turkish activist Muhammed Salih from the sailing boat Adagio. Salih conveyed via Instagram that they are expecting an Israeli interception or attack soon and have taken precautions by donning life jackets and remaining alert on deck.
The flotilla's organizers have issued a warning, urging international attention and emphasizing that their safety relies on global observation. They have called for worldwide mobilization in solidarity and demanded safe passage for the flotilla, asserting that any attack on the flotilla is an attack on Palestine.
The flotilla is carrying humanitarian supplies and international activists as part of efforts to break Israel's prolonged blockade, which has significantly deteriorated living conditions in Gaza. On Tuesday, Israel's official broadcaster KAN reported that the flotilla had entered Israel's interception zone, with the Israeli Navy preparing to intercept the ships. It is reported that Israeli authorities plan to transfer the flotilla activists to a large warship and tow the vessels to the port of Ashdod, with the possibility of some vessels sinking.
Israel has made it clear that it will not allow the flotilla to reach Gaza, following political directives. Earlier, the International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza announced via X (formerly Twitter) that the ship 'Al-Dhamir,' designated for international doctors and journalists, is sailing towards Gaza from the port of Otranto in Italy.
The flotilla, primarily loaded with humanitarian aid and medical supplies, set sail at the end of August and the beginning of September, aiming to break the Israeli blockade. This is the first time in years that such a large number of ships have set sail toward Gaza, which has been under Israeli blockade for approximately 18 years.
Israel intensified the siege on March 2 by closing all border crossings and blocking food, medicine, and aid, leading to famine conditions despite aid trucks accumulating at the borders. The Israeli army's actions since October 2023, which have resulted in the deaths of over 66,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, have rendered Gaza uninhabitable, causing starvation and the spread of diseases.