The Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian maritime campaign carrying humanitarian aid to break the illegal Israeli blockade on Gaza, reported on Friday that its Maghreb branch once again faced intimidation from unidentified military aircraft.

According to a statement shared on Facebook, two unidentified military planes flew at low altitude over the flotilla’s vessels while they were in Greek territorial waters. The organization noted that this was the second such incident in a single week, describing the flyovers as a clear attempt at psychological pressure and intimidation against unarmed aid ships.

The group emphasized that despite repeated threats, harassment, and even attacks, the Global Sumud Flotilla remains determined to reach Gaza, carrying essential humanitarian and medical supplies for the besieged Palestinian population.

Meanwhile, Tunisian authorities announced the arrest of a foreign national accused of involvement in an attack on one of the flotilla’s ships at the Sidi Bou Said port near Tunis. Local outlet Mosaique FM reported that the suspect was detained by the National Unit for the Investigation of Terrorist Crimes and Crimes Against National Security after judicial authorities issued a warrant. Tunisia’s Interior Ministry earlier confirmed that the September 10 attack on the vessel was “premeditated.”

The incident followed another assault, when the flotilla reported that one of its ships had been struck by a drone while anchored in Tunisian waters. Although no casualties were reported, organizers denounced the attack as part of Israel’s ongoing attempts to sabotage international solidarity missions.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising around 50 ships from across the world, set sail earlier this month with the declared mission of challenging Israel’s 17-year blockade of Gaza and delivering critical aid to the Palestinian people. The coalition brings together activists, human rights defenders, trade unionists, and parliamentarians from Europe, North Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

International concern for the flotilla’s safety has grown in recent weeks following repeated drone and sabotage attacks. On Friday, Spain dispatched a navy warship from Cartagena to provide protection for its nationals on board, while Italy earlier deployed a frigate to safeguard Italian participants. Greece, Tunisia, and several other countries with vessels in the mission have also called for international monitoring to ensure the safety of their citizens.

Flotilla organizers have underscored that their mission is peaceful, humanitarian, and rooted in international law, stressing that Israel has no legal right to impose a blockade on Gaza or to attack ships sailing in international waters.

The mission has gained wide global support, with solidarity demonstrations taking place in Italy, France, Türkiye, South Africa, and Latin America. Prominent human rights organizations have declared that any attack on the flotilla would constitute a war crime.

The renewed threats come amid devastating conditions in Gaza, where over 65,500 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023 and hundreds of thousands face starvation and lack of medicine. UN investigators have concluded that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people, and activists describe the Global Sumud Flotilla as “a moral response from humanity against collective punishment and ethnic cleansing.”

Despite mounting dangers, the flotilla remains steadfast. Organizers vowed that no amount of intimidation, sabotage, or military aggression will prevent the delivery of desperately needed aid to Gaza’s people, declaring: “Our ships carry not only medicine and food, but also the conscience of the world.” (ILKHA)