Gaza Aid Flotilla Reports Escalation at Sea Near Greece

(MENAFN) A Gaza-bound humanitarian convoy known as the Global Sumud Flotilla said on Monday that its vessels were facing what it described as increased surveillance and possible interception attempts while sailing off the coast of Greece, according to its statement.

The group said that ships associated with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which are en route to join the broader mission toward Gaza, were being monitored in what it characterized as “active military surveillance and intimidation.”

It outlined a series of reported developments, saying that at one point in the evening, several vessels observed a military helicopter circling overhead. Later, the group said drones were detected above the fleet, along with an unidentified ship moving nearby with its navigation lights turned off.

The flotilla also referenced maritime tracking information suggesting that a US Lockheed Martin aircraft had flown over the area shortly before the reported incidents.

According to the group, additional unidentified vessels with visible white lights were later seen approaching from behind, raising concerns among participants that an interception could be imminent.

The statement did not provide independent verification of the claims, and there was no immediate confirmation from Israeli authorities regarding any interception operation in the area.

The incident comes in the context of long-standing restrictions on Gaza and repeated attempts by activist-led maritime missions to deliver aid to the territory, which organizers say faces severe humanitarian conditions, according to reports.

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