• Metehan Sari, aboard the flotilla flagship Alma, says their ship was targeted with Israeli signal jammers and intimidation but vows they will continue their mission

ANKARA / ISTANBUL

Activists aboard the Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla, which seeks to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, reported harassment by Israeli forces overnight Tuesday to Wednesday but said they remain determined to continue their mission.

Zeynel Abidin Ozkan spoke with Anadolu via his phone on the deck of the Adagio, one of the ships advancing towards Gaza as part of the flotilla.

Ozkan said that as of Tuesday night, they entered an area close enough to the coast of Gaza that the Israeli military could attack them or try to interfere with their errand of mercy.

“Last night, drones were flying intensively over our fleet,” Ozkan said. “Around 5 am, two approaching boats launched a cyberattack on the GPS and internet database of the Alma, one of our fleet’s main vessels, cutting off our communication with the ship.”

He noted that the fleet of 43 ships paused their engines to assess potential damage before resuming their journey.

Ozkan stressed that the fleet continues its mission “to decisively break the Gaza blockade and stop the genocide in Gaza,” and urged people everywhere to lend their support.

Stressing that with the start of Wednesday they entered a “far more dangerous time,” he explained that this is because they “closed to within 100 miles (161 kilometers). From here, it is only a matter of hours until Gaza. We are within a distance that could reach Gaza in no more than 24 hours.”

“Do not leave the fleet alone in the face of possible attacks and harassment, and be part of this movement that can decisively stop the genocide being committed in Gaza and break the blockade,” he urged.

‘Biggest act of harassment so far’

Metehan Sari, an activist aboard the Alma, the flagship in the humanitarian mission to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, reported that they were targeted by Israeli harassment Tuesday night but they are determined to continue their journey.

Sari told Anadolu that they were “harassed by an Israeli vessel” last night, adding: "This was one of the biggest acts of harassment we have faced so far. They tried to scare us, but we weren’t afraid, and we told them we would not be afraid.”

Emphasizing their firm commitment to the Gaza mission, Sari explained: “(During the harassment) they used a large military (signal) jammer. It was not a normal jammer, because some of our cameras burned out.”

He noted that some participants’ devices were “hacked into,” forcing several to throw their phones into the sea.

“We didn’t throw ours away, so we could monitor the process,” he added.

Pointing with his hand to the distance between the vessels, Sari said: “The Israeli ship came as close as 5 to 10 meters (16-33 feet) to the Alma.”

He stressed that during the incident, they immediately switched to emergency mode.

“Thank God, we are fine. We are continuing firmly on our way to Gaza and we ask for your prayers.”

Calling for an international spotlight on the flotilla, Sari said: “Please don’t forget Gaza or Sumud. Spread the word as much as you can.”

Sumud and the humanitarian aid flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of dozens of ships, has been sailing toward Gaza for days. It is carrying a significant amount of humanitarian aid, particularly medical supplies. This flotilla is the largest fleet ever to set out for Gaza.

Sumud, which means “steadfastness” or “unwavering determination” in Arabic, gained new importance among the Palestinian people after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war (Six-Day War) to describe oppression and resistance.

​​​​​​​The concept of Sumud refers to the search for ways to resist the occupation and build alternative institutions through the Palestinians remaining on their land, keeping the Palestinian identity and culture alive, and non-violent civil disobedience. In Palestine, the olive tree and a pregnant peasant are used to illustrate this concept.