From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Organizers of Gaza flotilla say Israeli Navy attempting to halt them at sea
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The organizers of an activist mission sailing to the Gaza Strip to challenge Israel’s naval blockade say the Israeli Navy is attempting to block them at sea.
“Our boats were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as ‘israel’, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees,” the Global Sumud Flotilla says.
According to tracking data, the flotilla is located near the Greek Island of Crete.
Our boats were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as “israel”, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees.
Boat communications are being jammed and a SOS was issued. pic.twitter.com/qjkFKLjqPw
— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) April 29, 2026
Israel has previously dismissed the flotillas as publicity stunts, after their organizers rejected calls to transfer the small amount of symbolic aid they had been carrying with them to Israel or international organizations to be taken into the Strip and distributed via official channels.
The Times of Israel Community.