Over 50 Boats in Gaza Flotilla Report Israeli Military Encirclement at Sea

Boats transporting activists and relief supplies for Palestinians in Gaza are seen adjusting positions at a port in Barcelona, Spain, during a symbolic farewell event for the Global Sumud Flotilla on April 12, 2026.

The organizers of the flotilla are composed of pro-Palestinian activists who are attempting to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza. On Thursday, April 30, they reported that they were surrounded by Israeli military vessels. The flotilla is made up of well over fifty boats that left France, Spain, and Italy and set sail in recent weeks.

The Global Sumud Flotilla posted to X overnight that Israeli military vessels were “illegally surrounding the flotilla in international waters and threatening to kidnap and commit violent acts.” They said, “There is currently no communication with 11 boats.” According to a tracking of the flotilla reported on their website, they are currently positioned off the coast of Greece, just south of Crete.

The Israeli navy boarded the initial flotilla of around 50 ships with political leaders and activists, including Greta Thunberg of Sweden, in late 2025. According to the organizers and Amnesty International, this was done illegally. The crew aboard the boats was arrested and deported by Israel.

The Gaza Strip is under Hamas administration and has been under Israeli blockade since 2007. Israel and the Palestinian militant group have accused one another of breaking a ceasefire that was put in place on October 10, 2025, following two years of conflict.