IDF Destroys Ship Engines of Global Sumud Flotilla, Stranding Hundreds at Sea

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) has accused Israeli forces of systematically disabling their vessels and abandoning hundreds of activists at sea. According to the GSF, Israeli military ships intercepted several of the flotilla's boats in international waters near Crete, Greece. The group claims that after destroying the boats' engines and navigation systems, the Israeli military withdrew, leaving the activists stranded on damaged vessels amidst approaching severe weather.

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After destroying the engines and destroying the navigation systems, the military withdrew – deliberately leaving hundreds of civilians stranded on helpless and damaged ships right in the path of a major approaching storm.

Communication with several boats was lost, hindering their ability to coordinate or signal for help. The GSF reported that some vessels were approached by military speedboats identifying themselves as Israeli. These forces allegedly pointed semi-automatic weapons at the participants and ordered them to the front of the boats, demanding they kneel. The flotilla, comprising 56 vessels at the time of the incident, had set sail with the aim of breaking the blockade of Gaza.

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Communications with several ships have been cut off, cutting off their ability to coordinate or signal for help.

This event follows a pattern of confrontations between activist flotillas and Israeli forces. In late 2025, a similar flotilla faced boarding by the Israeli navy, resulting in the arrest and expulsion of its crew members, an action deemed illegal by organizers and Amnesty International. The GSF's narrative emphasizes the deliberate disabling of their ships and the alleged abandonment of civilians, painting a picture of a forceful and potentially dangerous interception.

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We have just, less than half an hour ago, as one of the Steering Committee members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, received clear information to convey to the public that our flotilla, currently consisting of 56 ships, was approached by a ship that stated it was from Israel.

From the perspective of Republika, an Indonesian publication, this incident is framed as a severe act of aggression by Israeli forces against humanitarian activists. The description of "systematically destroying the engine" and "deliberately leaving hundreds of civilians stranded" highlights the perceived brutality and callousness of the Israeli military's actions. The Indonesian media often views such events through a lens of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, interpreting Israeli actions as part of a broader pattern of oppression. The emphasis on the activists being left helpless in the path of a storm underscores the humanitarian aspect and the alleged disregard for human life. This narrative strongly condemns Israel's actions and positions the activists as victims of an unjust blockade and military intervention, reflecting a common sentiment in Indonesia regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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So we haven't confirmed if it was Israel or not, but self-identified or he said he was from Israel, who then told the friends to turn back.