Israeli officials on Sept. 25 accused the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of about 50 boats trying to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip, of operating under the cover of humanitarian work while serving the interests of the Hamas terrorist group and other armed groups.
At a press conference in Jerusalem, Israeli intelligence analyst Ziv Haba and Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Eden Bar Tal presented what they described as evidence tying flotilla organizers to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and the Hezbollah terrorist organization.
The flotilla, which set sail from Greece earlier in September, includes lawyers, lawmakers, and activists from across Europe.
Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg is among those on board.
Italy and Spain deployed navy ships to accompany their citizens after the flotilla reported drone attacks in recent days, incidents for which Israel has not taken responsibility.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Sept. 25 reiterated that the ministry would not permit a breach of the naval blockade.
“Israel will not allow vessels to enter an active combat zone and will not allow the breach of a lawful naval blockade,“ he said. ”Israel is still ready to engage in any constructive arrangement for transferring aid in a legal and peaceful way.”
Sa’ar said the flotilla rejected an Italian proposal, accepted by Israel, to unload the aid in Cyprus for transfer to the Gaza Strip. He argued that the refusal showed that the flotilla’s real aim was provocation and serving Hamas.
The Global Sumud Flotilla activists on Sept. 25 called for a safe passage and said their “mission will continue because governments are not stopping Israel’s crimes against humanity.”
Intelligence Claims
Haba, co-founder of Israeli intelligence firm The Intel Eye, presented a report that he said was compiled using open-source analysis and proprietary de-anonymization tools.
He said investigators identified 10 administrators of the March to Gaza Greece online group, which he alleged formed part of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s coordination structure.
The flotilla was not independent but part of a wider umbrella that includes the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, known for past attempts to breach Israel’s blockade, he said.
One key figure identified, according to Haba, was Saif Abu-Kishk, described as a senior organizer linked to Hamas-affiliated entities.
“Our investigation revealed that at least seven senior figures involved in Global Sumud Flotilla network have documented a repeated link to designated terrorist organizations, primarily Hamas, but also [Palestinian Islamic Jihad], PFLP, and even Hezbollah,” Haba told reporters.
Haba also pointed to what he said was photographic documentation of flotilla leaders meeting Hamas and PFLP officials abroad.
“This isn’t about assumption or association,” he said. “This is direct evidence of operational overlap between the flotilla leadership and designated terrorist organizations. This is not a humanitarian initiative.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla told The Epoch Times, “We do not have a comment on these latest tactics by the Israeli government to distract from their war crimes.”
March to Gaza Greece and Abu-Kishk did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
Political Position
Bar Tal said the flotilla had rejected multiple proposals to unload aid at alternative ports, including Ashkelon in southern Israel and facilities in Cyprus and Greece.
“Israel made a very clear statement and a very peaceful proposal to the organizers,“ he said. ”We offered the Ashkelon proposal. Unfortunately, the proposal was rejected twice.”
Bar Tal said that just before the press conference, flotilla leaders had turned down an Italian government suggestion to unload supplies in Cyprus.
He said Israel is ready for a peaceful arrangement to unload the aid at any port that will accept the aid and ensure that it will go directly to the Gaza Strip.
When asked about the presence of a Portuguese parliamentarian on board, Bar Tal said Israel would stop the flotilla but “do its utmost to protect the safety of the passengers.”
Responding to allegations that Israel was behind drone attacks on the flotilla near Tunisia and Greece, he said, “I will not comment on any verified claims, but everybody should know these passengers and the passengers of former flotillas, whatever were the claims, all of them … are safe, and we will do our utmost to keep them safe at any stage.”
Israel launched its campaign in the Gaza Strip after the Hamas-led assault on Oct. 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, more than 65,000 people have been killed since then.
That number does not distinguish between combatants and civilians and includes some deaths from natural causes.
The Epoch Times cannot verify the figures.
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