Israel vows to block the so-called “Sumud Flotilla,” warning Greta Thunberg and fellow activists that attempts to aid Hamas under the guise of “humanitarian aid” will fail.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a sharp warning Monday evening regarding the Sumud Flotilla, which is attempting to reach the Gaza Strip under the banner of “humanitarian aid” but, according to Israel, is in fact serving Hamas’ agenda.
In its statement, the Ministry made clear: “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.”
The Ministry emphasized that if the activists’ intent were truly humanitarian, they could dock at Ashkelon Marina, where Israel would ensure the aid was safely inspected and transferred into Gaza through legitimate and secure channels. Israel further urged participants “not to break the law and to accept Israel’s proposal for a peaceful transfer of any aid they might have.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla claims to be an independent initiative and includes radical activist Greta Thunberg, who was already deported from Israel in June after joining a previous flotilla. That earlier mission, dubbed the Madleen, was intercepted by the IDF—only for activists’ prerecorded propaganda videos to falsely allege they had been “kidnapped.” Israel noted that the “aid” aboard the Madleen amounted to less than a single truckload and was promptly transferred into Gaza through official humanitarian channels.
The Sumud voyage has already faced turbulence, including reports of two alleged drone strikes off Tunisia’s coast—an incident Tunisian authorities first denied, then claimed was a “premeditated attack.”
For Israel, the message remains unequivocal: while it will facilitate legitimate aid, it will not tolerate maritime operations that exploit humanitarian claims to aid Hamas, breach international law, and threaten Israeli security.
