- Opinion
- 01 Oct 25
Gaza aid flotilla carrying Irish activists reportedly "aggressively circled" by Israeli warship
"Despite these acts of aggression, the flotilla continues its course with determination," said the GSF in a statement today.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is nearing Gaza after one of its boats carrying an Irish activist was reportedly "aggressively circled" by an Israeli warship.
The international aid initiative said that its fleet has entered a "high-risk zone" where previous aid flotillas were attacked or intercepted by Israeli forces, about 150 nautical miles (278 kilometres) from Gaza.
The Alma, one of the flotilla's lead boats, was reportedly circled by an Israeli warship for several minutes in the early morning on October 1. The Alma carries Cork comedian and activist Tadhg Hickey, along with Greta Thunberg and several other activists.
According to the GSF, the Alma's on-board communications systems were remotely disabled during the incident and the warship steered extremely close, forcing the Alma to take an evasive manoeuvre to prevent a frontal collision.
Video footage of the incident from those on board appears to corroborate such accounts.
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"These reckless and intimidatory maneuvers placed participants at serious risk," said the GSF in a statement today.
"The Global Sumud Flotilla is a peaceful, nonviolent mission carrying humanitarian aid and civilians from over 40 countries. Interfering with our passage is unlawful and any attack or interception constitutes a war crime."
The GSF said the flotilla "continues its course with determination" despite the incidents.
This afternoon, the GSF posted a video in which Tiago Ávila, Brazilian activist and GSF steering committee member, explained the incident and said the boats were just 118 nautical miles (218 kilometres) from Gaza
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Later, Hickey wrote in a post on X that his boat was about 80 nautical miles from Gaza with no sign of Israeli forces yet.
In a separate post, he said, "Irrespective of what's about to happen to the Global Sumud Flotilla, everyone should down tools & get on the streets for Gaza."
The GSF has created a live tracking page for the fleet as well as a livestream of CCTV from some vessels as they approach Gaza.
The livestreams show activists on board watching the horizon and occasionally acknowledging the camera. At one point, an activist aboard the Huga boat held up a sign to the camera reading "Asmaa! The best future doctor, we love you."
Livestreamed footage from the Global Sumud Flotilla during its approach to Gaza on October 1, 2025. Photo:Global Sumud Flotilla on YouTube.
Last month, the Alma and other GSF vessels were attacked by drones off the coast of Tunisia, causing damage to the boats.
Novelist Naoise Dolan, human rights activist Caoimhe Butterly (who has written about Gaza for Hot Press), poet Sarah Clancy, Senator Chris Andrews, TD Paul Murphy, TD Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh and Lynn Boylan MEP are among the other Irish participants in the flotilla. Some are on board the vessels while others assisted in organising the mission.
Hickey posted a video on social media yesterday upon entry into the "high-risk zone,” saying it was his “last message” before potentially being detained by Israeli forces.
"The likelihood of the cheeky monkeys, the Israelis, intercepting and kidnapping us in international waters has apparently gone very high," Hickey said.
"So I just want to put on record that I have no regrets at all. I'm totally unrepentant, and if I went back in time, I would definitely do this mission again. I'm so proud and privileged to be a part of it."
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This morning, Israeli media outlets reported around 500 police officers will be deployed at the port of Ashdod, near where the flotilla could land, in anticipation of its arrival. There were also reports that nearby hospitals have been ordered to be on high alert and reinforce their staff in case of injuries.
Israel's state broadcaster said the Israeli navy, including an elite special forces unit, plans to take control of the fleet when it nears. The broadcaster also reported that the activists are expected to be forced onto Israeli navy vessels and taken ashore, where they will be imprisoned and, if they comply, deported back to their contries of orgin,
Other Israeli reports say that while some vessels will be towed to shore, others may be intentionally sunk at sea. They did not clarify what is intended for the aid supplies on board the vessels.
The fleet had previously been accompanied by an Italian naval vessel, but Italian officials said they would leave once the flotilla entered the 150 nautical mile range from the coast of Gaza.
Earlier this week, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told the GSF to end their mission, claiming it risked derailing a recent US plan to end Israel's attacks on Gaza.
Meloni and other Italian officials urged the flotilla to leave their aid in Cyprus to avoid confrontation with Israeli forces.
The GSF responded in a statement, saying Italy would "not derail this mission" and "the humanitarian demand to break the blockade cannot be walked back to port."
Amnesty International has called for international actors to protect the GSF in its approach to Gaza in a post on X this afternoon.
"States have a responsibility to guarantee the flotilla’s safe passage," Amnesty International said.
"They must step up pressure to protect the flotilla and demand an end of Israel's genocide, and of its unlawful blockade once and for all."
As the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla - the largest initiative of its kind - is expected to enter a high-risk zone in the Mediterranean where Israeli forces may attempt to intercept it as they did before.
The flotilla, carrying urgently needed food, medicine, and humanitarian… pic.twitter.com/EtnqBNIcq0
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) October 1, 2025
At the time of writing, the fleet has not yet been intercepted by Israeli forces and is continuing to sail towards Gaza.
