OPT: Israel must end attacks on Global Sumud Flotilla
Front Line Defenders strongly condemns the escalating attacks against the Global Sumud Flotilla and the ongoing failure of the international community to ensure safe passage into Gaza for the humanitarian mission. We call for immediate action to protect the human rights defenders on board and to end the illegal blockade of Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is a coordinated, non-violent fleet of mostly small vessels sailing from ports across the Mediterranean, carrying humanitarian aid including lifesaving supplies for the Palestinian population, challenging Israel’s 18-year illegal blockade on Gaza. This civilian-led initiative, with more than 500 volunteers - doctors, lawyers, parliamentarians, unionists, and human rights defenders - brings together a diverse coalition of international participants, including those involved in previous land and sea efforts such as the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and Global Movement to Gaza. The GSF’s mission is a direct response to the ongoing genocide and the deliberate weaponisation of starvation by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
For three hours during the night of 23-24 September 2025, the GSF’s members reported sustained explosions and drone attacks against their boats in international waters off Greece. This severe escalation of hostilities reportedly included at least 13 explosions on and around the boats, widespread communication disruptions, and the persistent presence of over 15 low-altitude drones. Objects have reportedly been dropped from drones or aircraft onto at least ten vessels causing significant damage to the vessels. This aggressive harassment of the GSF vessels coincides with a coordinated disinformation campaign by the Israeli authorities who are alleging, in a clear attempt to pre-emptively justify military action against the unarmed human rights defenders, that the civilian mission poses a national security threat.
The Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has expressed in a statement the "strongest condemnation" of the incident and ordered the Italian multi-purpose frigate to head towards the flotilla "for possible rescue operations", focusing primarily on Italian citizens and parliamentarians. Shortly after this announcement, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared “[...]a maritime action vessel equipped with all necessary means will set sail from Cartagena in case it is necessary to assist the flotilla and carry out any rescue.”
Earlier this month, on the nights of 9-10 September 2025, two drone attacks targeted the flotilla while docked in Sidi Bousaid port, Tunisia, causing significant damage to vessels.
Front Line Defenders strongly condemns the ongoing harassment of the GSF vessels by the Israeli authorities and is deeply concerned about the ongoing failure of the international community to ensure safe passage for the GSF into Gaza, particularly in the context of mounting evidence that “widespread starvation, malnutrition and disease” is taking place in Gaza.
Front Line Defenders calls on all states and the international community, particularly EU member states, to immediately establish a protective presence ensuring the flotilla's safe passage to Gaza; to put an end to the reprisals faced by human rights defenders and peaceful activists supporting Palestinian rights and calling for an end to the genocide; and to enforce the International Court of Justice's orders calling on Israel to allow unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. The organisation further calls on the UN to investigate the attacks in Tunisian territorial waters and international waters, and condemn these acts of sabotage.
