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Monday 18 May 2026
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
Global Sumud Flotilla has announced that it has detected "unidentified vessels" near its boats as it heads to Gaza to break an Israeli blockade. (Photo/Reuters)
The Global Sumud Flotilla has announced that it has detected "unidentified vessels" near its boats as it heads to Gaza to break an Israeli blockade.
The humanitarian aid flotilla said on X that "naval vessels and speedboats were spotted in front of, behind, and to one side of the fleet."
Organisers have also reported the "movement of unidentified drones and military elements" around the convoy.
???? ALERT! Unidentified vessels have been spotted near our fleet.
— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) May 17, 2026
Bear witness. Watch online. https://t.co/PDluE7HraJ pic.twitter.com/6vHt1VnYmP
The development has followed the flotilla's arrival in international waters.
This 2026 Spring Mission has set sail with 54 ships from Marmaris, Türkiye, in a fresh attempt to deliver aid.
In late April, the Israeli army carried out an attack in international waters off the coast of Crete, targeting a previous fleet and detaining 21 boats.
Land convoy stalled
Meanwhile, the Global Sumud Land Convoy remained stuck on the outskirts of the Libyan city of Sirte.
The mission, which departed on Friday from Zawiya, includes more than 350 activists from 30 countries, including Türkiye, the UK, and the US.
The convoy is carrying 50 containers, including mobile housing units and five ambulances.
Hayati Arslan, the coordinator of Turkish activists, has told reporters that discussions with eastern Libyan authorities are still ongoing.
He said the convoy's goal is solely to break the Israeli blockade and deliver aid, which remains limited compared to the scale of destruction.
Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza since 2007, and its genocide since October 2023 has killed more than 73,000 people.
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Source: TRT
