Understanding the Global Sumud Flotilla, the Civilian Armada Penetrating the Gaza Blockade

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) name has increasingly become a subject of international discussion after several ships of a humanitarian mission bound for Gaza, Palestine were reported intercepted by the Israeli military in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The discussion has drawn global attention because the civilian armada carried volunteers, activists, and journalists from various countries. Recently, several Indonesian nationals (WNI) have been detained by the Israeli navy since Monday (May 18, 2026). They are part of an international mission aimed at delivering humanitarian aid while challenging the Gaza blockade that has persisted for years. So far, the Israeli forces are reported to have intercepted 41 ships of the GSF fleet. Nevertheless, according to GSF, there are still 10 other ships continuing their voyage to the area. They are attempting to breach the Gaza blockade to send humanitarian aid. Gaza has been blockaded by Israel since 2007. “GSF is not a single formal body like a typical NGO, but a coalition of international Palestinian solidarity networks and civilian humanitarian organisations,” Dina told Kompas.com, on Tuesday (May 19, 2026). This term is often used to describe the resilience of the Palestinian people amidst the protracted conflict. Dina explained that this humanitarian mission is not really something new. Before GSF, international activist groups had begun trying to deliver aid directly by sea as a form of protest against the blockade. One of the most famous milestones is the Gaza Freedom Flotilla raid of 2010. At that time, six ships carrying activists and humanitarian aid set sail for Gaza. The main vessel, Mavi Marmara from Turkey, was intercepted by Israeli forces at international waters. The incident claimed the lives of 10 Turkish activists and triggered a major diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Israel. Since 2010, international activist networks such as Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza, and various pro-Palestine NGOs across Europe, Turkey, and Latin America have continued organising similar sailings periodically.