The Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla on Tuesday reached a position in the Eastern Mediterranean approximately 200 miles from the coast of Gaza and Israel. The flotilla has said this is the final stretch as it moves toward Gaza and expects to be intercepted by the navy.
Israel has maintained a blockade of Gaza over the years. The blockade has sometimes let Gazan fishermen travel as far as 15 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza, indicating that Israel’s blockade extends far beyond the 15 nautical mile marker. Nautical miles are slightly longer than regular miles.
National waters of countries extend up to 12 nautical miles out to sea. However, countries can also claim exclusive economic zones, which may extend 200 nautical miles out to sea. As such, the flotilla is now entering the economic zone that Israel may claim as its own.
However, the flotilla is sailing north of Egypt. As of Tuesday afternoon, it was approximately 80 miles north of Rosetta, a coastal city in Egypt. It appears to seek to stay on this course, which will put it north of Port Said and then north of Sinai as it nears Gaza and Israel.
The flotilla will possibly arrive on Yom Kippur, as it sails at around 5-6 knots and travels around 100 miles a day. The AIS transponders, which enable tracking of the flotilla, have been off for the last two days since they left southeastern Crete. However, the Global Sumud website continues to track its own vessels.
There are around 42 vessels in the group. The Sumud group reported that two vessels appeared to join the flotilla at sea on Tuesday from Turkey.
A Turkish drone has been following the flotilla over the last three days. The drone is usually on station for a day, and then another drone arrives to take its place. The drone flies under the call sign VATOZ22, and it is believed to be a high-altitude Akinci drone.
On its social media account, a Sumud Flotilla activist noted that “the Global Sumud Flotilla is entering its final stretch, with Israeli interception anticipated within 24-48 hours. Despite exhaustion, spirits remain strong. The mission is clear: deliver aid, keep global focus on Gaza, and raise political pressure. Italian and Spanish naval escorts may deter violence, but risks remain.”
There are reportedly more than 500 people on the flotilla. A Turkish ship transferred aid to the flotilla vessel Alma Explorer, one of the largest boats in the flotilla. It is a 33-meter pleasure craft. The rest of the vessels are mainly sailboats.
Flotilla to potentially arrive on Yom Kippur
David Adler, one of the activists on the flotilla, wrote on Tuesday about his feelings as the flotilla entered what he called the “red zone,” where it expected to be intercepted. He said it is likely that the flotilla will arrive on Yom Kippur.
“I believe that the timing of our flotilla is not coincidental. On the contrary, I believe it is a blessing that we are approaching interception at the onset of Yom Kippur, our annual day of atonement, which calls on us to reflect on our sins and what can be done to repair them in the spirit of tikkun olam,” he wrote.
He says he is one of the few Jews on the flotilla. “I joined this flotilla just like any other delegate, to defend humanity before it is too late. But on Yom Kippur, I am reminded that I am also here because my Jewish heritage demands it,” he said.
“If Israeli forces intercept us on Yom Kippur, then let them see what true atonement looks like. Not fasting in comfort while starving their neighbors. Not praying in safety while dropping bombs over their heads. Atonement means action,” he added.
The Foreign Ministry shared on Tuesday that “official Hamas documents found in the Gaza Strip, now revealed for the first time, prove Hamas’s direct involvement in the funding and execution of the ‘Sumud’ flotilla to Gaza.”
Israel has said the flotilla could dock in Ashkelon to transfer aid, and also has suggested it go to a third country. Italy has suggested a similar approach to resolve this crisis. Israel has accused the flotilla in the past of ties to Hamas. Activists on the flotilla say they are peaceful.
The flotilla entered areas 200 miles from Israel as US President Donald Trump pushed for an end to the war in Gaza and a peace deal. It is unclear if this has changed the intentions of the flotilla. Currently, it appears they have not changed course.