STORY: Organizers of an international aid flotilla said on Friday (September 26) they would press on with attempts to break an Israeli naval embargo on Gaza, despite pleas by Italy to accept a compromise proposal and not take further risks.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of about 50 civilian boats, was hit on Wednesday by drones carrying stun grenades and itching powder in international waters 30 nautical miles (56 km) off the Greek island of Gavdos. No one was injured, but vessels suffered some damage. The GSF blamed Israel, which did not respond to the accusation but said it would use any means to block the boats' access to Gaza.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella urged the flotilla's organizers to accept a proposal to drop off its aid supplies in Cyprus and hand them to the Catholic Church's Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem for distribution in Gaza. Israel said it backed the idea, but the flotilla rejected it.

The timing of the flotilla's departure from Greece was unclear. Organizers said one of the lead boats had suffered a mechanical failure but that the flotilla would continue.

Greece said it would guarantee the safe sailing of the flotilla off Greece. It’s launch will take the flotilla back into international waters. Organizers said the boats aimed to arrive early next week.

Israel said the flotilla would not pass.

Greek activist Iasonas Apostolopoulos, on one of the boats anchored off the coast of Koufonisi Islet near Crete, called for support for the boats to reach Gaza safely. "Demand safe passage for our vessels, because no one is free until we are all free," he said.

“Keep and eye on us,” said Kleoniki Alexopoulou, a member of the steering committee for the global flotilla.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: VARIOUS OF BOATS OF FLOTILLA ANCHORED IN THE SEA OFF KOUFONISI ISLET/COMMENTS BY ACTIVISTS ON THE BOAT

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: OFF KOUFONISI ISLET, GREECE (SEPTEMBER 26, 2025)(REUTERS – Access all)

1. ONE OF THE BOATS OF THE FLOTILLA WITH ACTIVISTS SHOUTING: (English) “FREE PALESTINE”

2. BOAT

3. BOAT WITH FREE PALESTINE WRITTEN ON THE SIDE

4. VARIOUS OF BOATS IN THE FLOTILLA ANCHORED EXT TO EACH OTHER

5. VARIOUS OF BOAT WITH FREE PALESTINE WRITTEN ON THE SIDE

6. ACTIVISTIS SITTING ON THE BOAT

7. ACTIVISTS SPEAKING ON BOAT

8. (SOUNDBITE)(English) GREEK FLOTILLA ORGANIZER IASONAS APOSTOLOPOULOS SAYING:

“We are very happy, because yesterday we joined the rest of the boats coming from Italy, Spain, and Tunisia, and we united as one common fleet of 44 ships. Our next destination is Gaza. Our mission, is to break the illegal Israeli siege and create a people’s humanitarian corridor, we rise to end the genocide of the Palestinian people, we sail against the complicity of our countries. Demand safe passage for our vessels, because no one is free until we are all free. All eyes on Gaza, all eyes on the fleet.”

9. GREEK ACTIVISTS ON BOAT STANDING SHOUTING: (Greek) “FREE PALESTINE”

10.(SOUNDBITE)(English) MEMBER OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA KLEONIKI ALEXOPOULOU SAYING:

“Our common cause here is to break the siege of Gaza and to contribute to the Palestinian struggle. We urge all people to follow us, to keep an eye on us, and help Palestinians finally achieve their liberation.”

11. FLOTILLA BOAT

12. PALESTINIAN FLAGS ON BOAT

13. VARIOUS OF BOAT

14. MORE FLOTILLA BOATS IN THE DISTANCE

15. VARIOUS OF THE BOATS

16. ACTIVISTS SITTING ON THE DECK OF ONE BOAT

17. MORE FLOTILLA BOATS IN THE DISTANCE

18. A GREEK COAST GUARD VESSEL AMONG THE FLOTILLA BOATS

19. ACTIVISTS ON BOAT, ACTIVIST HOLDING PALESTINIAN FLAG THAT IS WAVING ON BOAT