Ann Wright
Consortium News / September 25, 2025
As the Israeli government continues 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 struck multiple boats in international waters.
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 struck multiple boats in international waters southwest of the Greek island of Crete on Wednesday morning.
In May, 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
Fourteen sailboats have been confirmed to have been attacked in the early morning hours Wednesday using chemical devices or “flashbangs” on steroids.
Mayday signal sent to Greek coast guard 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.
SEE: Spain and Italy have sent naval ships into the Mediterranean Sea, charged with protecting the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which is carrying aid towards Gaza.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, told reporters in New York: “The government of Spain demands that international law be complied with and that the right of its citizens to navigate the Mediterranean under safe conditions be respected.”
Attacks on Global Sumud Flotilla sailboats
The following are brief descriptions of the some of the drone attacks
- Ohwayla (U.S. 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.
Videos describe 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/
Italy sending navy frigate
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 Sept. 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 Turkey 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 won’t 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.
US citizens on flotilla
Of the approximately 550 persons on the approximately 50 boats of the Global Sumud flotilla, there are 22 U.S. citizens, including five military veterans on board the boat Ohwayla.
Ann Wright served 29 years in the U.S. Army/Army Reserve and retired as a colonel. She was also a U.S. diplomat for 16 years but resigned in 2003 in opposition to the U.S. war on Iraq. She is a coordinator with U.S. Boats to Gaza and on the Steering committee of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla
