Gaza flotilla says vessels approached its boats as it nears Israeli blockade

1/10/2025 17:51

The international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza said unidentified vessels approached some of its boats before dawn on Wednesday as it got closer to a zone where Israel has imposed a naval blockade on the war-stricken strip.



The Global Sumud Flotilla consists of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 people, among them parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. It aims to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian enclave.



"We continue to sail to Gaza approaching the 120 nautical mile mark, near the area where previous flotillas have been intercepted or attacked," organisers said in a statement.



It was not clear who operated the vessels that approached the flotilla. A video post on the flotilla's Instagram page said that an Israeli military vessel approached its boats, carrying out "dangerous manoeuvres" and damaging its communication systems before departing.



The post showed the silhouetted outline of what appeared to be a military vessel with a gun turret near the civilian vessels. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.