Global Sumud Flotilla Stands Firm Against Violence as 30 Boats Head Towards Gaza

Original article: La flotilla resiste: Global Sumud denuncia violencia sexual y física de fuerzas israelíes mientras más de 30 barcos siguen rumbo a Gaza

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) remains resolute in its mission to confront the genocide in Gaza and break Israel’s criminal blockade, with over 30 boats continuing their journey towards the Palestinian enclave to deliver urgent humanitarian aid. The organization reported that Israeli forces have inflicted sexual and physical violence against crew members during this critical mission.

It’s important to note that this international humanitarian convoy departed on April 12, 2026, from Moll de la Fusta port in Barcelona, heading toward Gaza via a route that includes Italy, Greece, and Turkey.

However, just a week later, Israel intercepted 23 vessels from the flotilla less than 80 nautical miles west of the Greek island of Crete. During this aggression, 181 civilians were kidnapped and taken to the Israeli navy vessel Nahshon and subsequently released, except for activists Thiago Ávila and Saif Abukeshek, who remain detained by Benjamin Netanyahu’s regime, accused of having links to Hamas, a claim they deny.

In a public statement, the humanitarian mission indicated they are sharing preliminary firsthand accounts that describe a «pattern of severe physical and sexual violence and systematic degradation perpetrated against their civilian crew members after the flotilla was intercepted in international waters. «

“These accounts, compiled following the release of 179 participants by Greek authorities, indicate a reliance on physical violence and abuse, including sexual abuse, as tools for intimidation and control,” they stated.

In their written statement, they noted that while international attention is focused on the ongoing illegal detention of Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila in Shikma prison in Israel, firsthand accounts have emerged detailing the methods used by the Zionist regime to subdue detained crew members.

“Survivors report that when the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) felt their power was challenged, they intensified physical and sexual violence to subdue them,” they indicated, emphasizing that testimonies describe a detention mechanism under inhumane conditions calculated to break the determination of the activists.

According to the accounts, the outdoor areas adjacent to the containers where they were detained were flooded with water overnight, forcing those sleeping outside to endure extreme physical distress. Additionally, the decision was made to remove any warm clothing, shoes, and socks, along with a systematic lack of food, drinking water, and bedding.

“These conditions led to several flotilla participants suffering from hypothermia and hyperthermia, without receiving adequate medical attention,” the GSF reported.

Activists Endured Sexual Violence at the Hands of Israeli Soldiers

Yet, the horror did not end with exposure to the cold. Testimonies reveal a pattern of dehumanization through invasive and humiliating searches. At least four activists suffered direct sexual violence at the hands of Israeli soldiers: two reported having been digitally penetrated; others reported enduring repeated and violent blows to their genitals, as well as gripping, squeezing, and tugging in that area. Simultaneously, verbal sexual assaults were documented.

The humanitarian mission emphasized that these acts are not isolated incidents but reflect a broader and already documented reality regarding the treatment that the Israeli legal and military system extends to detained Palestinians. They linked these abuses to the illegal detention still suffered by Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila in Shikma prison, who are on a hunger strike in protest of their kidnapping and the mistreatment they have endured.

Despite Israeli Aggression, 30 Boats from Flotilla Remain on Course to Gaza

In spite of the violence exerted by Israel, the flotilla endures and reported that the departure from Crete with over 30 boats en route to Gaza is a testament to resilience.

“Despite the illegal kidnapping of our companions, the psychological warfare of the occupation, and the threatening presence of military surveillance and aggression, the flotilla remains intact,” they emphasized in the statement.

The current route includes a technical stop in Marmaris, Turkey, where representatives from over 50 countries will gather on May 10 and 11 for a legal symposium and a general assembly to finalize the strategic plans for the mission.

The demands are clear: immediate freedom for Abukeshek and Ávila, the release of nearly 10,000 Palestinian political prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, an end to the siege on Gaza, and accountability for crimes committed.

“The Israeli occupation may steal our boats, belongings, and loved ones, but it cannot steal our horizon,” the GSF stated.