GSF says 30 boats still 'sailing strong to Gaza', just 46nm from intended destination

A Gaza-bound flotilla said on Thursday that dozens of its boats are still pressing ahead towards the Palestinian enclave despite being confronted by Israeli naval forces.

The Global Sumud Flotilla announced that most of its vessels remained on course in the early hours of Thursday, edging closer to Gaza’s coastline despite interruptions.

“Thirty boats are still sailing strong towards Gaza,” the group posted on X at 3:20am local time (0020 GMT). It said that the flotilla was only 46 nautical miles away, despite what it called “constant aggression” from Israeli naval units.

Quoting flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek, AFP reported that Israeli forces had intercepted 13 vessels carrying about 200 activists, many of them from Spain and Italy.

In a video message on Instagram, Abukeshek stressed that “our mission is going on.” He added, “They are determined. They are motivated. They are doing everything possible to break the siege by early morning.”

Also Read: Flotilla activists say they are ready for a possible Israeli interception

The flotilla’s live tracker showed which boats were intercepted and which continued their route toward Gaza. By 3:48am GMT on Thursday, it indicated that 15 vessels had already been stopped by Israeli forces.

The Israeli interception of the pro-Palestinian flotilla, which had been anticipated for days, reverberated across the globe. It sparked large-scale demonstrations, drew diplomatic criticism, and prompted warnings of strikes.

Protests broke out in Brussels, Athens, Buenos Aires and Berlin, while Spain urged Israel to ensure the “safety and rights of the activists.”

In Rome, hundreds of protesters chanting “let’s block everything” gathered outside Termini station, forcing authorities to restrict access and shut down some metro stops.

Demonstrators also poured into the streets in Milan, Turin and Genoa. In Naples and Pisa, protesters briefly occupied railway platforms and halted train services. Thousands assembled in Bologna, waving Palestinian flags and carrying banners.