Near the sunlit shores of the Greek island of Crete, a tense drama is unfolding at sea. The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a convoy of 51 boats packed with humanitarian aid and pro-Palestinian activists, has found itself the target of a series of mysterious and unnerving attacks as it attempts to break the blockade of Gaza. According to statements released by the GSF and corroborated by activists’ social media posts, the flotilla has encountered repeated drone flyovers, unexplained explosions, and severe communications jamming—an ordeal the organizers describe as a campaign of psychological warfare.
The GSF’s mission, which set sail from Barcelona in late August 2025, is ambitious: to deliver much-needed aid to Gaza and challenge what they call the “illegal siege” imposed by Israel. Among those aboard are international activists and prominent figures such as Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, all determined to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The flotilla’s journey, however, has become a high-stakes test of resolve, with organizers reporting a string of intimidating incidents just off the Greek coast.
“Multiple drones, unidentified objects dropped, communications jammed and explosions heard from a number of boats,” the GSF stated in a message shared widely on social media. “We are witnessing these psychological operations first-hand, right now, but we will not be intimidated.” The group’s message was clear: despite the mounting pressure, their mission would continue.
German human rights activist Yasemin Acar, who is traveling with the flotilla, reported in a video posted to Instagram that five vessels had been attacked. “We have sighted 15 to 16 drones,” she said, describing how the group’s radios were jammed and loud music was broadcast over their frequencies, further disrupting their ability to coordinate. In one striking video shared by the flotilla’s official Instagram page, an explosion is seen erupting near the Spectre boat, a stark reminder of the risks the activists are facing.
Brazilian activist Thiago Avila added to the mounting evidence of intimidation tactics, recounting that four boats had been “targeted with drones throwing devices” just before another explosion rang out in the background of his recording. Despite the chaos, Avila and the other passengers remained unharmed—a fact confirmed by all involved.
This isn’t the first time the GSF has faced such threats. Earlier in September, while stationed in Tunisia, the flotilla reported being harassed by drones over two consecutive days. No one was injured during those incidents either, but the Tunisian interior ministry later claimed that at least one report of drones had “no basis in truth.” The conflicting accounts have only added to the sense of uncertainty and danger surrounding the mission.
As the flotilla pressed onward, the GSF released another statement, doubling down on its determination to reach Gaza. “The lengths to which Israel and its allies will go to prolong the horrors of starvation and genocide in Gaza are sickening,” the group wrote. “But our resolve is stronger than ever. These tactics will not deter us from our mission to deliver aid to Gaza and break the illegal siege. Every attempt to intimidate us only strengthens our commitment. We will not be silenced. We will continue to sail.”
The flotilla’s organizers have described the recent incidents as “psychological operations” designed to sow fear and confusion among the activists. According to their reports, dozens of drones have been observed circling the convoy, with two sailing vessels specifically targeted by drone activity. “At this moment, we are experiencing a communications jam, which may affect our ability to coordinate and respond,” the GSF said, highlighting the practical dangers of such interference during a humanitarian operation at sea.
One particularly harrowing episode involved the Alma ship, where more than 15 drones reportedly flew at low altitude over the vessel for several hours on September 22 and 23. The group said the drones appeared “roughly every 10 minutes,” speculating that their purpose was both to gather intelligence and to intimidate the crew. The constant presence of drones, coupled with sporadic explosions and communications blackouts, has created an atmosphere of unease and vigilance among those on board.
Despite the mounting risks, the activists remain steadfast. The GSF insists its mission is strictly humanitarian, with the aim of drawing global attention to what rights groups and the United Nations have described as a form of collective punishment—the blockade of Gaza. “We are operating in international waters on a humanitarian mission,” the group reiterated, emphasizing the legality and peaceful intent behind their voyage.
Israeli authorities, for their part, have maintained a firm stance. On September 22, Israel announced it would not allow the flotilla to reach Gaza, a position it has enforced in the past. Two previous attempts by activists to breach the blockade by sea, in June and July of this year, were also blocked by Israel. As of September 24, Israeli officials had not publicly commented on the latest reports of drone activity, explosions, or communications interference targeting the flotilla.
The ongoing standoff has drawn international attention, with many observers watching closely to see how the situation unfolds. The GSF’s effort is just the latest in a series of attempts by activists and aid groups to challenge the Gaza blockade—a policy that has sparked intense debate and condemnation from various quarters worldwide. Humanitarian organizations argue that the blockade has led to severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies in Gaza, while Israeli authorities cite security concerns as justification for the restrictions.
The flotilla’s current position near Crete, with dozens of vessels still intact and the activists’ spirits unbroken, stands as a testament to their determination. Whether their mission will ultimately succeed remains uncertain, but their journey has already shone a spotlight on the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the lengths to which both sides are willing to go.
As the sun sets over the Mediterranean, the boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla continue to press forward, defiant in the face of adversity and hopeful that their message—and their aid—will one day reach the shores of Gaza.