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Worldwide protests erupt as Israel unlawfully intercepts the Global Sumud Flotilla

Worldwide protests erupt as Israel unlawfully intercepts the Global Sumud Flotilla

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As demonstrations spread across major cities, the people of Gaza gathered on the shore in anticipation of the flotilla
Members of the group of ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza are seen moored at the small island of Koufonisi, south of the island of Crete, on 26 September 2025 (Eleftherios ELIS / AFP)
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Israeli military forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla late on Wednesday, in an attempt to prevent it from delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The convoy of civilian vessels, carrying food, medicine and other essential supplies, was stopped in international waters before reaching the enclave.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is made up of 52 boats with 500 activists from 44 different countries. 

The flotilla organisers confirmed that Israeli forces had intercepted at least 21 ships. A further 19 ships had not communicated with organisers since the early hours and are assumed to have been intercepted.

Organisers of the flotilla condemned the raid as an unlawful act and a deliberate attempt to block relief from reaching Palestinians under siege. Amnesty International's general secretary, Agnes Callamard, said in a statement: "This interception is not just about blocking aid; it is a calculated act of intimidation intended to punish and silence critics of Israel's genocide and its unlawful blockade on Gaza."

The flotilla takes its name from the Arabic word "sumud" - meaning steadfastness or resilience - and was launched by an international coalition of activists, human rights defenders and solidarity groups. 

Their mission was both practical and symbolic: to challenge the blockade on Gaza and to force global attention onto the deepening humanitarian crisis inside the territory.

Global outrage and simultaneous protests

The interception immediately sparked widespread condemnation around the world. Human rights organisations described the move as a violation of international law, pointing out that the raid took place far from Israel's territorial waters. 

In many major cities around the world, such as Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin, Istanbul, Ankara, Athens, Buenos Aires, Melbourne and Tunis, protests erupted in support of the flotilla as the Israeli forces were actively intercepting the boats and detaining the flotilla participants. 

Governments and civil society networks across the world issued urgent calls for accountability. In capitals around the world, protesters gathered outside embassies and consulates, waving Palestinian flags and carrying banners demanding an end to the blockade. 

Some demonstrations were spontaneous, called through social media within hours of the news breaking, while others were organised by long-standing solidarity movements.

Across Europe, vigils were held in town squares, with candles and placards marking the flotilla as another chapter in the long struggle against the blockade. The hashtag #GlobalSumud surged into the top trending lists worldwide.

Many social media users called for keeping the flotilla momentum going, saying that Israel was not able to handle all the ships altogether. Users said there should be another flotilla starting immediately - with even more ships. 

A Turkish lawyer and activist wrote: "The best answer to Israel right now is to set sail with another flotilla within the next ten days with more boats. The closest and largest departure is possible from Turkey's ports."

Waiting in Gaza for the flotilla

While the international reaction dominated headlines, in Gaza the night unfolded with a different rhythm. Along the coast, families and young people gathered in anticipation, straining their eyes towards the horizon in the hope of glimpsing the flotilla's arrival. 

Children and young people were on the shores of Gaza waiting for the ships. A young girl drawing a sketch of the flotilla arriving on the shores quickly went viral.

When news of the Israeli interception broke, social media feeds filled with messages of heartbreak and solidarity from Palestinians. Residents who had filmed the coast hours earlier now shared videos of frustration, but also of resilience, repeating the word sumud to underline their determination to endure.

Symbolism and next steps

The Global Sumud Flotilla is part of a long history of sea-based efforts to challenge the blockade, from the deadly 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara ship from Turkey to more recent solidarity voyages, such as the Madleen Flotilla, which set sail towards Gaza in June.

Each has ended with Israeli intervention, but organisers insist that the act of sailing itself carries meaning. The Global Sumud Flotilla Coalition said Israel's response was "not an act of defence", but "a brazen act of desperation".

Despite the interception, solidarity actions continue to spread. From vigils to mass marches, the flotilla has already reignited debate about the blockade and rallied global attention to the plight of Palestinians.

As Israel's war on Gaza nears its two-year mark, for many Palestinians, especially those who waited for the flotilla on the shore, it has become another symbol of both hope and resilience.

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