Why the 'Sumood Fleet' Is Heading to Gaza Despite Israeli Threats [News Seolcham]

Alliance of 44 Vessels Crossing the Mediterranean
Aiming to Deliver Aid Directly to Gaza
Gaza Faces Famine Risk as Food and Water Supplies Are Cut Off

Editor's Note'Seolcham' is a newly coined term meaning "refer to the explanation for more details." In [News Seolcham], we pinpoint areas in the news that require fact-checking or further explanation and provide more detailed context.

On September 23, 2025 (local time), while leaders from 193 member states gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York to discuss solutions to the Gaza crisis, more than 40 vessels assembled in the Mediterranean Sea. Most of these were small motorboats and yachts, collectively named the "Global Sumood Fleet" (Sumud means steadfastness in Arabic). This multinational maritime non-governmental organization (NGO) was formed to help the citizens of Gaza, who are facing an unprecedented crisis with all supplies of medicine, drinking water, and food completely cut off.

Heading to Gaza Despite Israeli Warnings

A vessel belonging to the Global Sumood Fleet passing through the Mediterranean Sea. Al Jazeera Broadcast YouTube

The Global Sumood Fleet was established between June and July of this year through the alliance of various maritime NGOs. Approximately 15,000 volunteers from 44 countries are participating, with professions ranging from civic activists to sailors and doctors. Greta Thunberg, a well-known environmental activist from Europe, has also joined the fleet. The fleet owns about 50 vessels, consisting of luxury yachts and small motorboats.

Their mission is to deliver relief supplies directly to Gaza by sea. According to real-time tracking data posted on the official website, as of September 25, 2025, 38 vessels were docked at the Greek island of Crete, while another 6 vessels were heading south from Athens to join, forming a total fleet of 44 vessels.

The Sumood Fleet points out that international relief supplies are not being properly delivered to Gaza. In an official statement, the fleet said, "The Israeli military has surrounded Gaza by land, sea, and air, which restricts relief efforts," and explained, "The solution is to bypass Israel by sea and deliver aid directly."

The burning drone image released by the Sumood Fleet on the 9th. Global Sumood Fleet SNS

Although the Sumood Fleet asserts that its activities are "legitimate humanitarian operations under the Geneva Conventions," actual voyages are known to be extremely dangerous. The fleet claimed that on September 9, a boat docked at the port of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, was attacked by a drone. They posted a video on their official social media showing a burning aerial object falling onto the deck of the boat. However, Tunisian authorities denied this, stating it was merely a fire accident.

On September 23, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement designating the Sumood Fleet as a "Hamas organization" and warned, "Israeli authorities will not permit violations of the legitimate maritime blockade." On June 9, 2025, the Israeli military also seized an NGO vessel carrying activists, including Thunberg, and expelled those on board.

Gaza Under Blockade for Two Years, Facing Famine This Month

The Israeli government began restricting the movement of goods and people to Gaza in 2007, when the Palestinian militant group Hamas became the ruling power in Gaza.

At that time, barricades and barbed wire were erected along the Gaza border adjacent to Israel, and the Rafah crossing-the only land route into Gaza through Egypt-was closed by the Egyptian government. In January 2009, the entire coastal waters adjacent to Gaza were designated as the "Gaza Blockade Zone." Even then, international relief supplies could only be delivered after obtaining Israel's strict approval.

Since the Hamas surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has further tightened its siege of Gaza. On October 9, 2023, Israel implemented a "total blockade" policy, completely cutting off the movement of water, medicine, fuel, electricity, and food. According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), as of May 2025, Gaza's food situation was classified as Phase 3, "Crisis," in the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, with most citizens skipping meals or suffering from nutritional deficiencies. Starting this month, it is expected to reach Phase 5, "Famine," which means widespread starvation and a surge in deaths due to malnutrition.

The international community is urging Israel to agree to a ceasefire. On September 22, 2025, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of T?rkiye strongly criticized the situation in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, saying, "There is no war in Gaza. There is only genocide committed under the pretext of the October 7 incident," and emphasized, "A ceasefire must happen without delay, and we must stand firmly with the oppressed Palestinian people." President Emmanuel Macron called on former President Donald Trump of the United States, saying, "The only person who can do something in the current situation is the President of the United States," and added, "President Trump has said he wants peace, but the Nobel Peace Prize is only possible if this conflict is stopped."