The Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces on the Mediterranean Sea near Greece, will now depart for an international assembly in Turkey. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla on its mission to challenge the Israeli blockade of aid in Gaza.
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Global Sumud Flotilla to depart Greece for international assembly in Turkey
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Global Sumud Flotilla to join international assembly in Turkey
The Global Sumud Flotilla announced in a post on X that it will be leaving Greece to attend an international assembly in Marmaris, Turkey. More than 30 boats will join the fleet in the journey to the assembly, which will be held on May 12.
Türkiye, we are coming!
Tomorrow, Friday 8th, our fleet will be departing from Greece towards Türkiye, where more than 30 boats will join our awaiting vessels to gather in our International Assembly in Marmaris, deepening our political strategy and sharpening our mission’s next… pic.twitter.com/UFOrfxfOms
— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) May 8, 2026
The assembly will provide the humanitarian group with an opportunity to deepen its political strategy and sharpen its approach to the next phases of its mission. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on its mission to challenge the Israeli blockade of aid to Gaza.
Moreover, during the international assembly, organisers will discuss how they plan to manage the current situation and also their plans.
“On May 12, we will hold a press conference to present the next phase of the mission and movement, announcing our commitments from civil society and political partners to safeguard future missions and Palestine solidarity worldwide,” the organisation posted.
Israeli forces intercepted 22 boats in the fleet and detained about 175 participants who were aboard the flotilla. While Israeli authorities released most of the participants, two remain in custody.
Released participants have accused Israeli forces of maltreatment and torture while in detention. Israeli soldiers allegedly beat some of the participants while they were in detention.
However, the two activists who remain in Israeli detention are Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila from Spain and Brazil, respectively. Israeli authorities have accused them of “assisting the enemy during wartime” and “providing services to a terrorist organisation.
Organisers of the flotilla condemned the actions of the Israeli authorities as piracy, kidnapping, and abuse in European waters. During the international assembly, they will present plans to hold the Israeli authorities accountable.
Gaza to face worsening crisis after interception of flotilla aid
Organisers put together the flotilla mission after direct calls for aid in Gaza. The interception of aid endangers the health and well-being of citizens, especially children and pregnant women.
Limited food and medical supplies drive a worsening malnutrition crisis in Gaza. Israeli authorities tightly control the region’s only aid corridor.
However, organisations such as MSF have called on Israeli authorities to allow sustained entry of medical supplies into the region.