11 boats from Global Sumud Flotilla hit overnight; Ruotolo (PD): ‘time to boycott Israeli products’

Brussels – The voyage of the Global Sumud Flotilla is becoming increasingly complicated. The group of boats was hit during the night while off the coast of Crete, in international waters. The expedition aims to break the Israeli naval blockade in front of Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population.

According to initial reconstructions, 11 boats were damaged, out of a total of 51. “From one o’clock in the morning until four o’clock in the morning, we received constant attacks: first with irritating substances, then with sound bombs (released by drones, ed.),” said MEP Benedetta Scuderi (AVS), who was on the ship Morgana bound for Gaza. There were no injuries, but the fright for Scuderi and the other activists was great: “We could have been very hurt if we had been physically in the spot where these devices fell.” On their way to Gaza, there were also PD members Arturo Scotto and Annalisa Corrado

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Un post condiviso da Maria Elena Delia (@maria_elena_delia)

The use of remotely controlled aircraft against the Flotilla is nothing new. It is the third time boats have been attacked, and this was the most intense action so far. It previously occurred on 9 September, when a ship was hit in the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said; a second attack took place on 10 September, also in Tunisian waters.

MEP Sandro Ruotolo (PD) called for the mobilisation of the EU institutions: “We ask the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Commission to take immediate action against Israel to guarantee the safety of those on board. No one touches the Flotilla! It is time for a clear international condemnation of the Netanyahu government. It is time to boycott Israeli products.”

Israel reiterated its aggressive stance towards the humanitarian shipment yesterday. In a post on X, Tel Aviv’s Foreign Ministry urged the “Hamas Flotilla” not to try to break the naval blockade, instead proposing a safe port of Ashkelon, 10 kilometres from Gaza. The organisers of the expedition refused.

The Hamas flotilla refuses Israel’s proposal to unload aid peacefully at the nearby Ashkelon Marina. Instead, it chooses the illegal path — sailing into a combat zone and breaching the lawful naval blockade.

This proves their true aim: serving Hamas rather than delivering aid to… pic.twitter.com/yD3mbYIrSS

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) September 23, 2025

A possible clash with the Israeli navy could take place in the coming days. The boats are now off the coast of Crete and, excluding the night’s incidents, it should not take more than three or four days of sailing to reach the Strip.

Concerns about a head-to-head confrontation with Israeli army (IDF) patrol vessels are high. In front of the Strip operate Sa’ar-6 missile corvettes, as well as smaller vessels tasked with countering light incursions.

Despite no injuries occurring last night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already expressed the hope that “any operation entrusted to the armed forces of Jerusalem be conducted in compliance with international law and under a principle of utmost caution.” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has requested that the embassy in Tel Aviv gather information and renew the request already made to the Israeli government to ensure the absolute protection of the personnel on board.