Israeli Forces Intercept Global Sumud Flotilla in International Waters

Israeli Forces Intercept Global Sumud Flotilla in International Waters

By Paul V. Young – TheNATIONWEEK.com | April 30, 2026

The crew aboard Greenpeace International’s Arctic Sunrise has reported that Israeli forces have unlawfully boarded and harassed vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, approximately 45 nautical miles west of Greece’s Kythira Island and 600 nautical miles from Gaza.

At 18:43 UTC (21:43 local time), the flotilla received a radio transmission from the Israeli Navy, demanding a change in course. Following this warning, communication channels were jammed, jeopardizing the safety of the flotilla at sea. The jamming affected various critical communication systems, including VHF maritime emergency channels and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). As of the latest updates, contact has been lost with several vessels in the flotilla.

By 03:47 UTC, confirmation emerged that multiple flotilla vessels had been illegally boarded by Israeli forces, resulting in a complete loss of communication.

The Global Sumud Flotilla represents an international coalition committed to nonviolent action aimed at ending Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, challenging the complicity that supports occupation, and standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Greenpeace has been providing logistical support through the Arctic Sunrise.

Greenpeace is urgently calling on governments worldwide to uphold international law and take decisive measures to ensure the safe passage of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Pujarini Sen, Project Lead aboard the Arctic Sunrise, stated: “Greenpeace stands in solidarity with the people of Gaza and the courageous individuals aboard the flotilla. Humanitarian assistance must always be respected and protected.”

“We reiterate our demand for immediate action from world leaders in response to the ongoing genocide inflicted by Israel on the people of Gaza. The international community’s failure to enforce international law implicates it in Israel’s actions.”

The Israeli government continues to impose a comprehensive blockade, preventing aid and food from reaching Gaza, which constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law.