A Hand Salute to the Heroic Crew of the Global Sumud Flotilla

The Sumud Flotilla began its journey in early September 2025 as part of an international maritime initiative aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade of Gaza. It started its journey from various ports around the world, including Barcelona, Spain.

On October 2, 2025, under the order of Crime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli pirates intercepted 40 vessels from 44 countries who were carrying humanitarian aid (food, medicine, toys, and baby formula) to the two million Palestinians under siege in Gaza. All 500 members (including 22 US citizens) of the Flotilla were kidnapped by the Israeli pirates.

Attacks at Sea

Prior to the Israeli interception of the Flotilla in international water, the vessels came under attack 9 times.

• 9 bombs were dropped near the vessels.
• 4 vessels were hit.
• 3 sulfur devices landed on board.
• Some vessels were damaged.
• No serious injury.

CBS News previously reported it was the largest attempt yet to break Israel's 18-year-long maritime blockade of Gaza and aimed to bring food to Palestinians in the territory. Multiple drone attacks approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu targeted the flotilla as it sailed toward the Gaza Strip, according to CBS News.

Most of the vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces on last Thursday. The vessels were sailing in international waters when they were intercepted. The final boat in the flotilla was intercepted on Friday, the Associated Press reported.

Global Reaction and Condemnation

Temp English.com reported that several countries have strongly condemned Israel for the arrest of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla sailing towards Gaza. World leaders have denounced the attack amidst protests in cities worldwide, including Istanbul, Athens, Buenos Aires, Rome, Berlin, and Madrid. However, Israel's interception of Flotilla reveals determination to continue starving Gazans.

The reactions from world leaders varied, ranging from direct condemnation to calls for Israel to provide consular access to their detained citizens and not to prolong their detention, according to Al Jazeera.

Accounts of Torture and Abuse

Many of the Sumud hostages were tortured or abused.

• A freed Turkish member of the Flotilla testified that he saw Israeli soldiers torturing 22 y/o Greta Thunberg by dragging her on the floor with her hair, making her bark like a dog, and then forced her to kiss the flag of Israel.
• A freed Irish activist hostage, Tadgh Hickey, said hostages were not given 1) medication and access to doctor or the outside world, 2) the hostages were forced to drink water from the bathroom, and 3) a 75 y/o hostage was denied his insulin for the first 3-4 days. Such inhumane practice was not even deployed during the Nazi era.
• Nadia D'Acierno, an Italian crew member wrote on October 7 a FB post after her release, 1) "Greta Thunberg was mistreated more than the others by the police." 2) The cost of the flights for deported crews from Greece to Italy were paid for by the families and they will be reimbursed by the Flotilla organization.

Message of Solidarity from Berlin

A message of solidarity to Sumud Flotilla from Berlin.

Abed Darwiche, the head of the Independent Palestinian Coalition in Berlin (IPCB), posted a thank you note on FB saying:

"To Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and her comrades in the Steadfastness Flotilla, on behalf of the IPCB, we extend our deepest gratitude, appreciation, and we value your courageous stance and those of your comrades in the Sumud Flotilla, who crossed the seas carrying the living conscience of humanity and the voice of freedom in order to deliver a message of support and solidarity to our besieged Palestinian people in Gaza. Palestinians will not forget your stance, and history will immortalize your names in the record of free people who carried the banner of humanity in the face of injustice and tyranny."

Rashida Tlaib leads letters calling on the Trump administration to protect Gaza aid flotilla activists

US Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who is the only Palestinian American in US Congress, wrote a letter to Sec. of State Marco Rubi which was signed by 18 other members of Congress stating:

"The safety of the Global Sumud Flotilla's civilian passengers is at serious risk and requires immediate action," adding, "As the Trump administration fails to take action to stop the genocide, hundreds of brave civilian volunteers from over 40 countries - including the United States - have set sail to Gaza to deliver essential aid, establish a humanitarian corridor, and save lives."

I am very concerned about the treatment of the Global Sumud Flotilla hostages receive in Israel. Although some of them were released, still among them is my old friend Tom Hayes, 64, of Columbus, Ohio. He is a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, a father to adult daughters, and a documentary filmmaker and associate professor of instruction in the School of Film at Ohio University. I have known Tom for nearly 50 years, and he is the only crew member of the Sumud Flotilla that I have met.

It is hard to fathom that Israel gets $10 million dollar in aid a day from US taxpayers every day the sun rises, is holding 22 American citizens as hostages. Not to mention the deafening silence of the White House and US State Dep. on the subject. I was expecting President Trump to give Israel a 24-hour ultimatum to free the 22 American hostages or else.

A Salute to the Heroes

Finally, a hand salute from this Palestinian writer to all 500 heroes who were aboard the Sumud Flotilla who spoke out when the world remained silent and risked their lives to aid the besieged and starving Palestinians while others were on the sideline. For that, we all should be grateful to them. I highly recommend that the Nobel Peace Prize be awarded to the heroes of Global Sumud Flotilla crew rather than being handed to Israeli-first President Donald Trump.

Mahmoud El-Youseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice.
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