Israel launches more drone attacks on the Gaza humanitarian flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which is currently in Crete, was attacked by Israel with drones in the early hours of this morning, 24 September, just days before its expected arrival in Gaza.

Israel attacks the Global Sumud Flotilla with drones – again

In a post on X, the GSF said:

Explosions, unidentified drones, and communications jamming. We are witnessing these psychological operations firsthand, right now, but we will not be intimidated.

The peaceful humanitarian mission, which is carrying aid for the people of Gaza and aiming to break Israel’s ongoing siege, reported that at least 13 explosions were heard on and around several flotilla boats, with widespread disruption in communications, raising urgent concerns for the safety of the activists on board:

After two days of threats from the Israeli foreign ministry, we suffered 11 attacks against our non violent, solidarity humanitarian mission protected by international law to create a humanitarian corridor for the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Rise up! We need your support now! pic.twitter.com/vFfKpUb5If

— Thiago Ávila (@thiagoavilabr) September 24, 2025

In a statement which claimed drones or aircraft also dropped sound bombs and chemical materials, and unidentified objects on at least 10 of the boats, the GSF said:

The lengths to which Israel and its allies will go to prolong the horrors of starvation and genocide in Gaza are sickening. But our resolve is stronger than ever. These tactics will not deter us from our mission to deliver aid to Gaza and break the illegal siege. Every attempt to intimidate us only strengthens our commitment.

Ongoing campaign by the occupation to criminalise the flotilla

For weeks, the Israeli occupation, which is now referring to the GSF as a ‘Hamas flotilla’, has escalated its campaign to discredit and criminalise the GSF, portraying it as a “security threat” and trying to manufacture consent for lethal force against the flotilla. The flotilla consists of more than 45 ships, with a crew of more than 500 unarmed civilians from 44 countries. According to the occupation, the flotilla’s crew are “insincere” and “pursuing a violent course of action” because they refuse to transfer the aid to Ashkelon Marina so Israel can:

forward it promptly to the Gaza Strip.

The activists, although concerned, say they will continue with their mission undeterred.

In a post on X, Israeli occupation’s Ministry of Foreign Affair’s spokesperson Oren Marmorstein, who believes Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza is legal, again threatened the flotilla:

This flotilla, organized by Hamas, is intended to serve Hamas. Israel will not allow vessels to enter an active combat zone and will not allow the breach of a lawful naval blockade….If the flotilla continues to reject Israel’s peaceful proposal, Israel will take the necessary measures.

On Sunday night, several drones followed the flotilla across the Mediterranean, but no incidents were reported. In a statement, the flotilla said:

This surveillance is not neutral. It coincides with the ongoing attempts to criminalise and delegitimise a civilian mission whose only purpose is to challenge the siege and stand with Palestinians. For Palestinians in Gaza, drones are not just cameras. They are daily tools of terror and violence, used to surveil, intimidate and kill. Their constant presence is a reminder of the occupation’s grip over every aspect of life. The policing of these waters is part of the same system that denies Palestinians freedom of movement and keeps Gaza cut off from the rest of the world.

Earlier this month, the GSF was again attacked by drones, while in Tunisia.

A call for international protection for the flotilla crew

The flotilla is now around 600 nautical miles from Gaza. Its volunteers are sailing to break the occupation’s siege of Gaza, which has been ongoing for the last 18 years. They are acting in accordance with international law, because they are civilians undertaking a humanitarian mission in international waters. They are asking for international protection for all participants on the ships.

Last year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza illegal under international law. This means all states are legally bound to recognise Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territory as unlawful, and must take action to end this situation, while also not aiding Israel in maintaining its occupation.

Feature image via Al Jazeera/Youtube.