From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Navy issues final call for Gaza flotilla to change course before interception
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Israeli Navy is calling on the large flotilla attempting to break the Israeli maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip to change course.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry publishes a video of a naval lieutenant speaking over a radio to the activists, saying they are “approaching a blockaded zone.”
“If you wish to deliver aid to Gaza, you may do so through the established channels. Please change your course toward the port of Ashdod, where the aid will undergo a security inspection and then be transferred into the Gaza Strip,” she says.
The sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation. Israel, Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have all offered and continue to offer the flotilla a way to peacefully deliver any aid they might have to Gaza. The flotilla refused because they are not… pic.twitter.com/pLQj1FLIPA
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 1, 2025
The 47-boat Global Sumud Flotilla is carrying over 500 activists, according to the organizers. Israel has accused some key participants of having ties to Hamas.
The ministry says that “the sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation.”
“Israel, Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have all offered and continue to offer the flotilla a way to peacefully deliver any aid they might have to Gaza. The flotilla refused because they are not interested in aid, but in provocation,” it adds.
Activists on the flotilla reported this evening that Israeli Navy vessels had approached them. Most of the livestreams from the various boats in the flotilla have been cut in the past hour.
The Times of Israel Community.