Global Sumud flotilla boats attacked by Israeli drones

September 24 — As the Israeli government continues unabated its horrific genocide of Palestinians and the destruction of housing and infrastructure in Gaza, in the third attack on the 42-ship Global Sumud flotilla, drones attacked multiple boats in international waters south-west of the Greek island of Crete, this morning September 24, 2025.

In May 2025, another flotilla ship, the Conscience, was attacked in international waters off Malta. It  was damaged by Israeli bombs that blew holes in the deck of the ship’s bow causing severe damage in the hold in the bow of the ship.

These assassin drones have ruthlessly and systematically killed hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza over the past two years.

14 Sailboats Attacked by Chemical Devices, “Flashbangs” and Detonation Cords

Fourteen sailboats have been confirmed to have been attacked in the early morning hours of September 24 using chemical devices or “flashbangs” on steroids.

Detonation cords dropped from drones landed on several boats very near fuel cannisters.

Mayday Signal Sent to Greek Coast Guard Went Unanswered

When the drone attacks began, the flotilla sent a Mayday signal to the Greek Coast Guard, but not surprisingly, no Coast Guard vessel arrived to check on what was happening to the boats.

In 2011, the Greek government was paid off by the Israeli government to stop ten flotilla boats from departing Greek waters to break the illegal Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.

Attacks on Global Sumud Sailboats

The following are brief descriptions of the some of the drone attacks

1. Ohwayla (US Veterans Boat) was hit by a small flashbang.
2. Yulara was poured with a chemical device but the capsule that was releasing the chemicals bounced and fell on the water. One person was burned by the chemical.
3. Otaria was hit by a flashbang at midmast.
4. Maria Cristina was targeted twice by a flashbang above the deck.
5. Selvaggia (Women’s Boat from Italy) was hit by a flashbang.
6. Morgana was hit by a flashbang.
7. Zefiro was hit by a flashbang. Confirmed damage to the rigging.
8. Taigete  sustained some damage to the mainsail

Videos describing the attacks:

This is link has a series of videos in which the attacks are described:
https://x.com/dropsitenews/status/1970627127792775584?s=12&t=LmTi29WSk5nIuU-BzL6sHw  and “Flashbangs” on steroids: https://www.instagram.com/p/DO9zPp9AjiG/

24 US Citizens on various boats of the flotilla including U.S. military veterans  (with Congressional Districts for calling)

Of the approximately 550 persons on the approximately 50 boats of the Global Sumud flotilla, there are 22 U.S. citizens.

The boat Ohwayla has five U.S. military veterans onboard:

Phil Tottenham- OH 01

Zue Jernstedt.    NY 10

Greg Stoker        TX 37

Zuleyka Morales Rivera  WV 01

Jessica Kaye Clotfelter   IL 16

U.S. veteran Najeh Abduljalil is on Familia boat. NV 02

Other US citizens on the Ohwayla:

Logan Hollarsmith AZ 06

Windfield Beaver CA 23

The following U.S. citizens are on other GSF boats (with Congressional districts for calling):

Carsie  Blanton-Paola;  NJ 07

Eric Lein-Jeannot III.     NY 02

Adnaan Stumo -Mikeno MA 01

Tor Stumo -Huga                MA 01

Paul Reid-Hio                      OR 03

Jasmine Ikeda-Meteque    WA 02

Michael Fix-Familia             NY 16

Tom Marcus – Familia.       NY 15

Hannah Smith -Familia.      CO 02

Geraldine Ramirez-Mali Mali. AZ 02

Stephen Wahab- Alma        OR 05

Leila Hegazy-Alma                NY 11

Idris Hausler-Alma               Lives in the Netherlands

Frank Romano-Spectre       NY 01

Italy sending a Navy Frigate to Support Global Sumud Flotilla

Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced that the country is sending a navy frigate to support the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aims to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, after it was targeted by multiple drones on September 24.

Italy had earlier urged Israel to guarantee the safety of the aid ships and the Italian activists on board, noting that members of parliament and MEPs are also part of the flotilla.

Sixteen nations have warned Israel to respect international law and not attack the flotilla.  In a joint statement the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, and Türkiye
said, “The Global Sumud Flotilla has informed about its objective of delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and raising awareness about the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and the need to stop the war in Gaza.  We therefore call on everyone to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the flotilla and to respect international law and international humanitarian law. We recall that any violation of international law and human rights of the participants in the flotilla, including attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability.”

Israel Says It Will Not Allow vessels to enter an active combat zone and will not allow any breach of the naval blockade

Israel, which blocked two previous attempts by activists to reach Gaza by sea in June and July, has said it will not allow the flotilla to reach the embattled Palestinian territory.

“Israel will not allow vessels to enter an active combat zone and will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade. If their intentions are sincere, they should transfer any such aid to the nearby Ashkelon Marina so it can be forwarded promptly to the Gaza Strip in a non-violent manner,” foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said.

As the world knows, Israel is blocking the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying medical and food aid to starving and sick Palestinians in Gaza.

Ann Wright is a 29-year U.S. Army veteran who retired as a Colonel.  She also was a U.S. diplomat for 16 years. She is on the steering committee of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla coalition and a member of Veterans for Peace and CODEPINK: Women for Peace, among many other peace organizations.