A vessel from the Global Sumud flotilla for Gaza has run aground in Paphos, according to information from competent sources, following a request submitted for humanitarian reasons. No further details have been provided so far regarding the circumstances or the condition of those on board.
There has been no official update from Cypriot authorities.
What preceded the incident
It is recalled that Israeli military forces intercepted the “Global Sumud flotilla for Gaza” off Cyprus two days ago. The flotilla, consisting of around 50 vessels, had departed from southern Turkey last week, carrying symbolic humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Activists from more than 40 countries are participating in the mission, while according to the same information, the flotilla also includes Greek vessels with Greek nationals on board.
Videos circulating on social media appear to show Israeli naval commandos boarding one of the flotilla’s vessels in waters off Cyprus. The operation was preceded by a warning from Israel urging participants to change course and return immediately.
The incident was also confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that Israeli armed forces intercepted another “flotilla heading towards Gaza”, without specifying the exact location of the operation.
Call for action from Cypriot authorities
The Cyprus Association of Democratic Lawyers has called on the authorities to assume their obligations regarding the flotilla. The association condemned the events of 18 May 2026 in international waters within Cyprus’ Search and Rescue (SAR) region, stating that vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which were heading peacefully towards Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, were intercepted and seized by Israeli naval forces.
In a statement, the association urged the competent Cypriot authorities “to act immediately within the framework of their international and national obligations, to demand full information regarding the fate and condition of all passengers, and to ensure respect for international law and human rights”.
It further noted that, according to information and documents submitted by the Greek Legal Support Team of the Global Sumud Flotilla, there are 19 Greek nationals among those on board, while the conditions of their detention, their status and their destination remain unknown.
“Particular concern arises from the fact that the vessels issued a Mayday distress signal within Cyprus’ search and rescue region, which activates clear obligations for the competent authorities under international maritime law and search and rescue conventions,” the statement said.
The association added that “the obstruction of free navigation, the seizure of civilian vessels in international waters and the arrest of passengers participating in a humanitarian mission raise serious concerns regarding violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, principles of freedom of navigation, international human rights protections and fundamental provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
