By Colonel (Ret) Ann Wright
The largest civilian flotilla in the history of support for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank was intercepted beginning at 10:30am Turkiye time,Monday, May 18, 2026.
Multiple large Israeli warships disgorged a large number of zodiac boats filled with combat laden Israeli Offensive Forces.
At this point,nine hours into the interception, the combat Israeli military personnel forcefully boarded 27 of the ships in the flotilla organized by Global Sumud Flotilla, Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association. Approximately 27 more ships, including two of the five Gaza Freedom Flotilla boats,are still evading the Israeli military and are attempting to continue their mission to break the illegal naval blockade of Gaza.
Israeli military is putting participants from the flotilla on a large cargo ship that we call the “prison ship” and based on precedence participants will be taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod for processing and then placed into Israeli prison for a number of days before they are deported.
We therefore ask supporters to follow instructions at:
https://freedomflotilla.org/action/
In addition you can:
- LEARN about the participants on the five FFC Boats here: https://freedomflotilla.org/2026-participants/
- FOLLOW the flotilla on our tracker: freedomflotilla.org/ffc-gsf-tracker
- AMPLIFY updates from the flotilla across social media and public platforms, including Instagram content FFC and GSF.You can also follow us on:Facebook, Telegram, TikTok, Bluesky, and LinkedIn and help amplify our content. Find all our channels and important updates here https://linktr.ee/freedomflotillacoalition
- ORGANIZE: If you represent an NGO, coalition, union, faith institution, or community organization, issue a public statement or press release calling for the flotilla’s protection and the right of civilians to reach Gaza. Organize a local vigil or protest to demand safe passage for the flotilla.
- CONTACT members of Congress — especially representatives connected to participants aboard the flotilla — and demand that they publicly oppose any attack, interception, detention, or use of force against the mission. Calls should also demand an end to U.S. weapons transfers supporting Israeli military actions.
The U.S. Capitol switchboard is: (202) 224-3121. - CALL ON local and state officials to publicly support the mission and speak against any violence targeting civilian delegates.
- As always, if you can, DONATE: http://usboatstogaza.org/donate
At its core, this flotilla consists of unarmed civilians attempting to challenge an illegal and deadly blockade that has devastated Gaza for nearly two decades and has been used as a tool of starvation and genocide. Efforts to portray such a mission as “terrorism” reveal the extent to which Palestinian humanity — and even solidarity with Palestinians — is routinely criminalized and dehumanized. On the anniversary of the Nakba, these realities remain impossible to separate from the broader structures of dispossession and violence Palestinians continue to endure.
THANK YOU for taking these actions!
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The sail of the U.S. Boats to Gaza – sponsored boat—Adalah—is a tribute to the Palestinian activist, community leader, and father, Awda Hathaleen, who was shot dead by an Israeli settler in his village of Um il-Kheir in July 2025. Awda was a friend of Bob Suberi, who is crewing the Adalah boat.
US Boats to Gaza is the US arm of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, working to end the siege of Gaza through nonviolent direct action and international solidarity.