Global Sumud flotilla activists arrive at Ashdod Port under Israeli control
Global Sumud Flotilla organisers say participants who were reportedly kidnapped by Israeli forces have arrived at Ashdod Port in the occupied Palestinian territories (Isdud/Ashdod) on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. The statement was released in an update to families and relatives of the volunteers held in custody.
‘Confirmation has been received that the participants who were kidnapped have arrived at Ashdod Port in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,’ said the Global Sumud Flotilla family and friends communications team.
The committee said their teams are still trying to verify further details about the volunteers’ conditions, their safety, and access to legal aid and consular services.
They noted that the arrival and verification process would take time due to the large numbers of people seized by the Israeli occupation forces. More than 400 people have been abducted by the IDF from the international waters.
The committee also urged families and relatives of the participants to keep contacting their respective embassies and consular offices to press the relevant authorities to provide confirmation of the volunteers’ whereabouts, protection, legal access, and immediate assistance.
‘We will share confirmed information as soon as it becomes available,’ the statement said.
Earlier, dozens of ships in the Global Sumud flotilla convoy were blocked by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean while attempting to break through the blockade toward Gaza. International activists from various countries were reportedly detained in the operation.
The Global Sumud Flotilla committee also stated the possibility that the Global Sumud Armada participants abducted by Israel could be taken to Ketziot Prison. Consular officials are reportedly preparing to accompany the detained activists and journalists, including Indonesians.
In an official statement released by the committee, the latest information from the consulate indicates that Israel will begin organising consular assistance visits after the volunteers arrive at Ashdod Port and are transferred to Ketziot.
Ashdod Port is cited as the initial processing location before the activists are taken to Ketziot Prison, a detention facility long known as housing Palestinian civilians and security detainees.
‘The latest information received by the consul directly from Israeli authorities is that tomorrow, after they arrive in Ashdod, they will be processed and moved to Ketziot; consular assistance visits will then be arranged,’ the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement issued early on Wednesday, UK time, or Tuesday night in Palestinian time.
According to the committee, this is what happened with two major missions last year. It is also a scenario prepared by the participants, lawyers, and support teams.
‘Participants will land in the coming hours at Ashdod port and our lawyers will be there to confirm their arrival.’
‘Some of the participants will be processed; the transfer will take several hours.’
Ketziot Prison, located in the Negev Desert, has long been scrutinised by international human rights organisations. The facility has been accused on several occasions of abuse against Palestinian detainees and administrative detainees.