Global Sumud Flotilla Boats Attacked by Israeli Drones in Waters off Greek Island of Crete
Colonel (Retired) Ann Wright
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 attacked multiple boats in international waters south-west of the Greek island of Crete, this morning September 24, 2025.
In May 2025, 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 have been confirmed to have been attacked in the early morning hours of September 24 using chemical devices or “flashbangs” on steroids. Detonation cords dropped from drones landed on several boats very near fuel cannisters.
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.
Attacks on Global Sumud Sailboats
The following are brief descriptions of the some of the drone attacks
1. Ohwayla (US Veterans Boat) was hit by a small flashbang.
2. Yulara was poured with a chemical device but the capsule that was releasing the chemicals bounced and fell on the water. One person was burned by the chemical.
3. Otaria was hit by a flashbang at midmast.
4. Maria Cristina was targeted twice by a flashbang above the deck.
5. Selvaggia (Women’s Boat from Italy) was hit by a flashbang.
6. Morgana was hit by a flashbang.
7. Zefiro was hit by a flashbang. Confirmed damage to the rigging.
8. Taigete sustained some damage to the mainsail
Videos describing the attacks
24 US Citizens on various boats of the flotilla including U.S. military veterans (with Congressional Districts for calling)
Of the approximately 550 persons on the approximately 50 boats of the Global Sumud flotilla, there are 22 U.S. citizens.
The boat Ohwayla has five U.S. military veterans onboard:
Phil Tottenham- OH 01
Zue Jernstedt. NY 10
Greg Stoker TX 37
Zuleyka Morales Rivera WV 01
Jessica Kaye Clotfelter IL 16
U.S. veteran Najeh Abduljalil is on Familia boat. NV 02
Other US citizens on the Ohwayla:
Logan Hollarsmith AZ 06
Windfield Beaver CA 23
The following U.S. citizens are on other GSF boats (with Congressional districts for calling):
Carsie Blanton-Paola; NJ 07
Eric Lein-Jeannot III. NY 02
Adnaan Stumo -Mikeno MA 01
Tor Stumo -Huga MA 01
Paul Reid-Hio OR 03
Jasmine Ikeda-Meteque WA 02
Michael Fix-Familia NY 16
Tom Marcus – Familia. NY 15
Hannah Smith -Familia. CO 02
Geraldine Ramirez-Mali Mali. AZ 02
Stephen Wahab- Alma OR 05
Leila Hegazy-Alma NY 11
Idris Hausler-Alma Lives in the Netherlands
Frank Romano-Spectre NY 01
Italy sending a Navy Frigate to Support Global Sumud Flotilla
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 September 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 Türkiye 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 will not 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.
Contact US Government Offices and Officials Demanding Action Against the Israeli Genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the Ethnic Cleansing of Palestinians in the West Bank… And the Israel Bombing of flotilla ships carrying food for the starving Palestinians in Gaza.
Contact the White House: 202-456-1111 and 202-456-1414.
Contact the Department of State Operations Center: 202-647-1512.
Contact Congress - Demand that your Senators and Representatives:
1. Speak out publicly condemning the attack, call for accountability and the flotilla’s safe passage.
2. Direct the State Department to protect U.S. citizens on board.
3. Use the power of the purse under Article I of the Constitution to hold Israel accountable and immediately introduce legislation that cuts off U.S.
You can use the template letter we have provided. Feel free to make an edit or rewrite to make it your personal message. You can also:
Leave a voice message. Dial the Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121.
Go further: Contact the members of Congress with constituents on board.
Organize vigils, protests, and teach-ins. Make the crisis visible in your communities. This is also an excellent opportunity to highlight the plight of the Palestinian people and to push for an end to the genocide.
Organize Direct Actions to disrupt complicit entities and dramatize our commitment to resist U.S. complicity in genocide.
Pressure the media to cover this story of bold, international action to stop genocide. Write op-eds, contact local outlets. Use social media to call out those who enable propaganda. Demand honest coverage.
Build coalitions with immigrant rights groups, faith organizations, antiracist and pro-Palestinian justice movements, union locals, and any groups fighting censorship and free speech crackdown.
Stand with BDS: Just as Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions were crucial in ending apartheid in South Africa, they remain a legitimate nonviolent tool against Israeli apartheid and genocide.
Be creative. Be visible. Be loud. Make your voices heard.
Stand in Solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza!
Ann Wright is a 29-year U.S. Army veteran who retired as a Colonel. She also was a U.S. diplomat for 16 years. She is on the steering committee of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla coalition and a member of Veterans for Peace and CODEPINK: Women for Peace, among many other peace organizations.
Outrageous! We must demand our govts protect safe passage for these heroes -providing humanitarian aid - food! to ppl being starved by Israel!
Thank you for your alert & call to action!