By Ahmed J Versi and Harun Nasrullah
London, (The Muslim News): The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) — a humanitarian mission of 51 vessels and over 500 activists from 44 countries—is facing repeated drone attacks and harassment from Israeli forces in international waters as it attempts to break Israel’s 18-year blockade of Gaza, according to an exclusive interview with award-winning journalist Yvonne Ridley, who is aboard one of the vessels.
Speaking from aboard the Omar al-Mukhtar, Ridley described “alarming” incidents off Crete involving at least 11 separate attacks with flash bombs, explosive flares, and suspected chemical agents. “It sounds as though the Israelis dropped sound bombs… It must have been quite terrifying for them,” she said. Organizers described other tactics, including foul-smelling substances and loud ABBA music broadcast over hijacked radio systems, which they characterised as psychological warfare.
Despite the harassment, Ridley emphasised the flotilla’s determination. She explained that the Omar al-Mukhtar has been converted into a dual-purpose aid ship and emergency hospital with ICU capabilities. “Our strength is in numbers, and we will not be intimidated. This mission is about peace, humanitarian aid, and shining a light on the crisis in Gaza,” she stated, while acknowledging the crew is “forever mindful” of the deadly 2010 Mavi Marmara incident.
“But just to complicate matters, there’s a major storm coming,” Ridley said. “We’re out in the middle of the Mediterranean at the moment at the Eastern Med, and, because of the storm, so we’re heading for the Greek islands to shelter.”
The flotilla, which includes climate activist Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, has sparked significant international condemnation. Italian spokesperson Maria Elena Delia described the drone attacks on vessels flying Italian, British, and Polish flags as “essentially a declaration of war against those countries.” UN experts echoed this concern, warning that obstructing the mission constitutes “a grave violation of international law.” A joint statement from 16 countries—including Qatar, Brazil, Ireland, and Spain—urged all parties to refrain from unlawful actions and cautioned that those responsible could be held accountable.
Israel’s government has referred to the activists as “the Hamas flotilla,” arguing that their refusal to unload aid at the Israeli port of Ashdod “highlights the insincerity of the flotilla members.” This characterization and the demand to divert to Ashdod are firmly rejected by the flotilla organizers and their supporters. They argue that the mission’s primary purpose is to challenge the legality of the naval blockade itself by sailing directly to Gaza, a right they assert under international law. Organizers, including the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, state that offloading in Ashdod would legitimise the blockade they are protesting and result in aid being subject to Israeli inspection and delays, which has been a central point of contention in the land-based aid process. They further deny any affiliation with Hamas, stating the mission is purely humanitarian and aimed at drawing attention to the collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population.
[Photo: Yvonne Ridley speaking to Editor of the Muslim News, Ahmed J Versi, earlier today.]
