Flotilla surrounded by explosions, hit with chemicals, as it nears Gaza
Italy and Spain Sending Navy Ships to Protect Flotilla after Attack
By Censored News, Sept. 24, 2025
"At least 14 boats have been hit. We are still assessing the damage," the Flotilla said today, Wednesday, at noon New York time.
"We need you now more than ever. We need the world’s eyes on Gaza and on the Flotilla."
The Global Sumud Flotilla said the flotilla was surrounded by explosions, and hit with chemicals, as the flotilla of fifty ships is off the shore of Crete in international waters and nearing Gaza with humanitarian aid.
"At least 14 boats have been hit. We are still assessing the damage," the Flotilla said today, Wednesday, at noon New York time.
"We need you now more than ever. We need the world’s eyes on Gaza and on the Flotilla."
Indigenous women from the far north, and the Amazon, are on the Flotilla. Women from the United States are also on the boats.
U.N. Special Rapporteur Francesca Francesca Albanese described the attacks today.
During the attacks, the Flotilla called out for help in the night.
Australian's boat Luna Bark hit with explosives
"We are under attack."
"My boat Luna Bark was hit with explosives, directly above our heads. The boat is damaged but other than some hearing loss, everyone onboard is ok and determined to carry on.
12 other boats have been attacked with explosives dropped from drones. The drones are still circling and we need you to act now.
Raise the alarm to protect our peaceful humanitarian mission aiming break open Israel’s concentration camp and create a humanitarian corridor between the world and millions of people being forcibly starved to death in Gaza.
We are a civilian mission acting in accordance with International Law. Our purpose is peaceful and in line with the recommendations of the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, human rights organisations across the globe, and basic human decency.
Israel’s impunity must end. The genocide and mass forced starvation must end. The brutal occupation and apartheid must end. Peace, justice and equality for all from the river to the sea.
Act now to protect the @globalsumudflotilla ; help us carry on our solidarity mission to Palestine. But don’t let them distract you from Gaza. All eyes on Gaza, always."
Update: Italy and Spain Sending Navy Ships after Attack
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto states that "to ensure assistance to Italian citizens present on the flotilla," the Fasan frigate of the Navy has been authorized to head toward the area for a possible rescue.
“We strongly condemn any acts of violence or attacks on the flotilla,” Anabel Montes Mier, head of the boat’s mission, said in a statement.
The charity emphasised the importance of protecting the largest-ever civilian maritime humanitarian attempt to deliver aid to Gaza.
Life Support has been accompanying the flotilla since it left Sicily last week, acting as an observer and providing medical and logistical support.
A nurse on board, Luca Radaelli, said the boat had restocked food and water and was helping the flotilla as usual today.
“Despite what happened last night, we are continuing to do our job. We are currently distributing water, food, and basic necessities to the flotilla's vessels, and one of our RHIBs [small boats] is in the water responding to a medical request unrelated to last night's attack. Furthermore, we are available to intervene with our second RHIB to provide technical or medical support to any boats in need, as we have done in recent days."
Emergency has run two health projects in Gaza since 2024. "In Gaza, the population is experiencing a dramatic situation that violates international law and continues to worsen day by day,” Montes Mier said. “Our staff working in the clinics in Al-Qarara and Al-Mawasi in the Strip bear witness to this daily. This is why Emergency had to participate in this mission - perhaps the largest humanitarian maritime mission ever promoted by civil society in the face of political inertia and inadequacy."
The Italian government announced today that it will also send a ship, from its navy, to assist the flotilla."
"Explosions, unidentified drones and communications jamming. We are witnessing these psychological operations firsthand, right now, but we will not be intimidated," the Flotilla said during the attacks between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time.
"The lengths to which Israel and its allies will go to prolong the horrors of starvation and Genocide in Gaza are sickening. But our resolve is stronger than ever. These tactics will not deter us from our mission to deliver aid to Gaza and break the illegal siege. Every attempt to intimidate us only strengthens our commitment."
We will not be silenced. We will continue to sail."
"The lengths to which Israel and its allies will go to prolong the horrors of starvation and Genocide in Gaza are sickening. But our resolve is stronger than ever. These tactics will not deter us from our mission to deliver aid to Gaza and break the illegal siege. Every attempt to intimidate us only strengthens our commitment."
We will not be silenced. We will continue to sail."
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| The flotilla's small sailing ships were targeted with explosives, damaging some sails, and boats were hit with toxic chemicals during drone attacks during the night. |
Australian's boat Luna Bark hit with explosives
"We are under attack."
"My boat Luna Bark was hit with explosives, directly above our heads. The boat is damaged but other than some hearing loss, everyone onboard is ok and determined to carry on.
12 other boats have been attacked with explosives dropped from drones. The drones are still circling and we need you to act now.
Raise the alarm to protect our peaceful humanitarian mission aiming break open Israel’s concentration camp and create a humanitarian corridor between the world and millions of people being forcibly starved to death in Gaza.
We are a civilian mission acting in accordance with International Law. Our purpose is peaceful and in line with the recommendations of the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, human rights organisations across the globe, and basic human decency.
Israel’s impunity must end. The genocide and mass forced starvation must end. The brutal occupation and apartheid must end. Peace, justice and equality for all from the river to the sea.
Act now to protect the @globalsumudflotilla ; help us carry on our solidarity mission to Palestine. But don’t let them distract you from Gaza. All eyes on Gaza, always."
"We can't do this alone," said an Indigenous woman from the Amazon aboard the flotilla, calling out for the children being bombed in Palestine. "There is a genocide going on," she said, asking why people remain silent. "This is the time of global uprising."
Indigenous women from the far north are on Flotilla
Read the series at Censored News.
Spain announced today it is sending a Navy ship, a military vessel, to assist the flotilla.
“The Spanish government demands full respect for international law and for the right of our citizens to navigate the Mediterranean in safety.
That is why a naval vessel will depart Cartagena tomorrow, equipped with all necessary means, to assist the Gaza flotilla.”
Novara Media reports:
"Italian United Nations-partner organisation Emergency has confirmed that staff on board its search and rescue ship witnessed attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla last night, involving drones, sound bombs and pepper spray.
“We strongly condemn any acts of violence or attacks on the flotilla,” Anabel Montes Mier, head of the boat’s mission, said in a statement.
The charity emphasised the importance of protecting the largest-ever civilian maritime humanitarian attempt to deliver aid to Gaza.
Life Support has been accompanying the flotilla since it left Sicily last week, acting as an observer and providing medical and logistical support.
A nurse on board, Luca Radaelli, said the boat had restocked food and water and was helping the flotilla as usual today.
“Despite what happened last night, we are continuing to do our job. We are currently distributing water, food, and basic necessities to the flotilla's vessels, and one of our RHIBs [small boats] is in the water responding to a medical request unrelated to last night's attack. Furthermore, we are available to intervene with our second RHIB to provide technical or medical support to any boats in need, as we have done in recent days."
Emergency has run two health projects in Gaza since 2024. "In Gaza, the population is experiencing a dramatic situation that violates international law and continues to worsen day by day,” Montes Mier said. “Our staff working in the clinics in Al-Qarara and Al-Mawasi in the Strip bear witness to this daily. This is why Emergency had to participate in this mission - perhaps the largest humanitarian maritime mission ever promoted by civil society in the face of political inertia and inadequacy."
The Italian government announced today that it will also send a ship, from its navy, to assist the flotilla."
.
Retired Col. Ann Wright is on the flotilla to Gaza. Wright said the U.S. Veterans boat was among those hit during the explosions and chemical attacks on the flotilla during the predawn hours of Wednesday. Wright said there are 22 U.S. citizens on the flotilla, including five U.S. veterans aboard the Ohwayla.
-- Attacks on Global Sumud Sailboats
The following are brief descriptions of some of the drone attacks:
Ohwayla (US Veterans Boat) was hit by a small flashbang.
A chemical device poured a caustic substance onto Yulara but the capsule that was releasing the chemicals bounced and fell on the water. One person was burned by the chemical.
Otaria was hit by a flashbang at midmast.
Maria Cristina was targeted twice by a flashbang above the deck.
Selvaggia (Women’s Boat from Italy) was hit by a flashbang.
Morgana was hit by a flashbang.
Zefiro was hit by a flashbang. Confirmed damage to the rigging.
Taigete sustained some damage to the mainsail
-- Col Wright resigned because of the war in Iraq and was previously detained in an Israeli prison after being captured in the flotilla aboard the Challenger. On this flotilla, eight from Turkey were murdered on the flotilla in 2010.
Read more about the Veterans for Peace from the U.S. aboard the Sumud Global Flotilla now in international waters, nearing Gaza with humanitarian aid.
https://peaceandplanetnews.org/global-sumud-flotilla.../amp/
Italy's search and rescue ship Emergency is in the flotilla. Today, Italy announced it is sending a Navy ship as well to protect the Flotilla.
Update: U.S. Citizens Aboard the Flotilla
-- Attacks on Global Sumud Sailboats
The following are brief descriptions of some of the drone attacks:
Ohwayla (US Veterans Boat) was hit by a small flashbang.
A chemical device poured a caustic substance onto Yulara but the capsule that was releasing the chemicals bounced and fell on the water. One person was burned by the chemical.
Otaria was hit by a flashbang at midmast.
Maria Cristina was targeted twice by a flashbang above the deck.
Selvaggia (Women’s Boat from Italy) was hit by a flashbang.
Morgana was hit by a flashbang.
Zefiro was hit by a flashbang. Confirmed damage to the rigging.
Taigete sustained some damage to the mainsail
-- Col Wright resigned because of the war in Iraq and was previously detained in an Israeli prison after being captured in the flotilla aboard the Challenger. On this flotilla, eight from Turkey were murdered on the flotilla in 2010.
Read more about the Veterans for Peace from the U.S. aboard the Sumud Global Flotilla now in international waters, nearing Gaza with humanitarian aid.
https://peaceandplanetnews.org/global-sumud-flotilla.../amp/
1 comment:
The U.S. plans to sell another $6 billion in weapons to Israel. Raytheon Dine' Missiles on the Navajo Nation, located on its commercial farm, has produced missiles for Raytheon, a top war profiteer, throughout the genocide the past two years. Now Dine' respond. -- Honey Honeycomb responds:
Raytheon, NAPI, and Nygren’s Dirty Deals
Shí k’é dóó shí dine’é, we must speak with truth. NAPI was created to grow food for our Nation, but its land now houses Raytheon, one of the world’s largest war corporations. The Raytheon Diné Facility sits south of Farmington on NAPI land along Highway 371, in the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry park. Instead of corn, wheat, and potatoes, Raytheon builds missiles and war technology on our sacred land.
These weapons do not stay here. They are shipped overseas and used in today’s wars. The facility supports programs like the Javelin anti-tank missile, widely used in Ukraine against Russian forces, the Patriot missile defense system, deployed in Europe and the Middle East and the AIM-120 AMRAAM, a standard U.S. and NATO air-to-air missile. These weapons strike tanks, intercept aircraft, and fuel destruction across the globe. When Raytheon profits from war, it is our soil, our water, and our labor that feed the war machine. Spiritually, this ties the Diné People to bloodshed we did not choose.
And what do we receive in return? A bag of potatoes, some flour, a little cornmeal while Raytheon takes billions in federal contracts and funnels the money into its shareholders, executives, and partners in Washington. The profits do not return to the Diné. They leave us with poverty, contamination, and the shame of being made part of wars against other Indigenous Peoples across the world.
President Buu Nygren calls this “development.” But development does not mean running water for our children, or electricity for our elders, or safe homes for our families. Instead, he funds NAPI to protect Raytheon’s presence, handing us starch for survival while handing outsiders control of our land. This is not sovereignty. This is surrender. This is betrayal.
The weapons made on NAPI land are being used in current wars, the profits go to outsiders, the burden falls on us. The Diné deserve clean water, safe homes, real food, and true leadership not weapons factories, not token handouts, and not dirty dealing. We are Diné. We will not trade hózhó for war.
“We honor our Diné warriors and all who serve, but we reject corporations like Raytheon that profit from our land and blood. Our fight is with exploitation, not with our children who wear the uniform.”
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