The Palestinian Gaza-bound aid fleet, Global Sumud Flotilla, has seen all vessels intercepted except The Marinet, a Polish-flagged ship with six crew members. Currently in international waters, The Marinet moves at 2.16 knots, about 100 km from Gaza. Its engine, recently repaired, allows continued navigation and live communication via Starlink. Flotilla organizers emphasize that the ship symbolizes resilience against blockade and violence. Israeli forces have detained rights activists on other vessels, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

The Israeli military has escalated attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip, killing 53 Palestinians in a single day. Israel has issued a final warning to residents of Gaza City to evacuate, threatening that those who remain will be considered terrorists or supporters of terrorism. Air and ground strikes have reduced Gaza City to rubble, forcing thousands to flee south, while many face attacks even while escaping. Since October 7, 2023, over 66,000 people have died and nearly 169,000 injured in ongoing hostilities.

Bangladeshi photographer and Drik managing director Shahidul Alam, aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, has shared two video messages saying the fleet is very close to Gaza. In the first video, he mentioned feeling unwell due to rough seas, but reassured that medical care on board is adequate. In the second, he captured views from the ship’s deck, smiling and interacting with fellow passengers. The flotilla, carrying nearly 500 activists, doctors, journalists, and parliamentarians from 44 countries, aims to deliver aid to Gaza.

An Israeli naval vessel reportedly fired water cannons at the Mikeno, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid to Gaza. Activist Muhammad Huzayfa Kukukayatekin said the Israeli ship pursued them for 10 minutes before soaking the vessel, supplies, and crew, causing distress among passengers. Israel has already detained most flotilla ships, claiming it stopped attempts to breach a lawful blockade. The international fleet of over 40 civilian vessels carries 500 activists, politicians, doctors, and journalists from 44 countries.

Defying Israeli naval efforts, The Marinette, the final vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla, continues its journey toward the blockaded Gaza Strip. The Polish-flagged ship, carrying six human rights activists, is now just 100 kilometers from Gaza’s coast. Earlier mechanical issues were resolved, and the vessel proceeds at a steady pace, maintaining communication via Starlink. Israeli forces have already intercepted 43 out of 44 flotilla boats and detained over 500 activists at Ashdod port for deportation.

Bangladeshi photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam reported feeling unwell while traveling on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. On October 2, he shared a Facebook video saying rough seas caused him to vomit, after which he lay down to recover. Alam noted he had just given a BBC interview when the ship began to sway. A doctor onboard is monitoring his condition, and his equipment has been secured. Despite the turbulence, Alam said he is now stable and hopeful of quick recovery.

Amnesty International has condemned Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, calling it “illegal” and an attack on a peaceful humanitarian mission. The group’s chief, Agnès Callamard, said Israeli authorities had long threatened participants and even tried to sabotage ships. Israel detained 443 activists from countries including Spain, Italy, Brazil, Turkey, the U.S., Germany, and the UK, seizing 43 of 44 aid vessels. Amnesty accused Israel of genocide and of deliberately blocking life-saving relief for Gaza.

Hamas has denounced Israel’s attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a Gaza-bound humanitarian mission carrying aid workers, journalists, and volunteers from 44 countries. The group described the interception and detention of civilians as “piracy” and “a crime against humanity.” At least one vessel has entered Gaza’s waters, with 23 more advancing, though Israel’s role in intercepting them remains unclear. The flotilla, which set sail from Spain with over 40 ships, has drawn widespread global attention and calls for international protection.

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has publicly questioned why well equipped state navies cannot break the Israeli maritime blockade of Gaza when ordinary civilians in small, low resource boats are reportedly managing to deliver humanitarian aid. Her remarks followed coverage of a civilian flotilla comprised of dozens of vessels that departed from multiple countries, with some boats said to have reached within sixty nautical miles, roughly one hundred eleven kilometres, of Gaza. Albanese asked whether the inability or unwillingness of powerful countries to use their naval capabilities reflects political choices, legal constraints, operational limitations, or failures of international will. Posting on social media, she urged the flotilla to continue safely, expressed solidarity with volunteers risking passage, and called on states and international institutions to act decisively to secure reliable humanitarian access for civilians in Gaza. The appeal intensified global scrutiny.

A vessel from the Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid, has entered Gaza’s territorial waters, while 23 more ships continue their journey toward the besieged enclave. The flotilla, consisting of over 40 civilian vessels and around 500 activists from 44 countries, aims to deliver aid to Palestinians via the sea. Participants include lawyers, rights activists, doctors, journalists, and elected European Parliament members. One ship, Mikeno, has already crossed into Gaza’s waters, though it remains unclear if Israeli forces have detained it. Reports indicate that Israeli commandos are encircling vessels and detaining volunteers, raising fears of confrontation. The flotilla began its voyage on August 31 from Barcelona, later joined by ships from Tunisia, Sicily, and Greek islands. Israel alleges links between the flotilla and Hamas but has provided no evidence. Arrival was expected Thursday morning, barring interruptions.

Shahidul Alam, director of Drekar and photographer, posted a video update from the Global Sumud flotilla en route to Gaza late on October 1. He said the flotilla is at sea and that news arrived of an attack on the vessel Alma; soon after, signals from that area were lost. All ships have gathered and crew members are deeply concerned. Alma had been at the front, while their ship is the largest and at the rear, raising fears that any attack could reach them. As evening fell they encountered a heated, stormy sea with lightning and are trying to move forward quickly despite being at the back. Alam accused Israeli forces of using attacks to intimidate and asked people to urgently also inform their home countries, show solidarity with the flotilla, and said he will pass messages to those affected.

Israel has intercepted 13 ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean, detaining more than 200 people from 37 countries attempting to break the blockade of Gaza. Among the detained are 30 from Spain, 22 from Italy, 21 from Turkey, and 12 from Malaysia. Despite the crackdown, flotilla organizers said around 30 more boats are still advancing toward Gaza, determined to deliver humanitarian aid. The Global Sumud Flotilla began its journey on August 31 from Barcelona, later joined by vessels from Tunisia, Italy, and Greece. With over 40 ships and participants from 44 countries, including European lawmakers, activists, doctors, and journalists, the mission seeks to challenge Israel’s long-standing blockade on Gaza. Israel claims links between the flotilla and Hamas but has provided no evidence. The convoy was expected to reach Gaza Thursday morning if unhindered.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying over 500 passengers including activist Greta Thunberg, is approaching Gaza with more than 50 vessels to challenge Israel’s blockade that has worsened famine conditions. Organizers report the flotilla entered Israel’s declared danger zone, raising fears of interception. Israeli media reveal preparations to detain hundreds on board, deport them, and potentially sink some ships too large to tow. Commandos and warships are expected to lead the operation, possibly during Yom Kippur. Earlier, an Israeli warship jammed communications and engines of the flotilla’s lead vessel, forcing activists to discard their phones into the sea for security. Though briefly disrupted, the flotilla resumed sailing. The move underscores growing international resistance against the Gaza blockade and potential escalation if Israel proceeds with forceful measures.

A recent survey by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reveals that prolonged reserve duty in the Gaza war has deeply strained family life. Nearly half of soldiers’ wives reported marital crises, and over one-third considered separation or divorce. The longer the duty, the greater the strain—up to 57% among those serving 200–350 days. Children have also been severely affected, with 52% of families citing mental health deterioration, rising to 63% for long-duty households. Around 61% of spouses sought some form of help—emotional, financial, or professional mental health care. Most families depended on relatives or friends, with varying reliance across religious groups. Government aid was uneven; 30% received support from the IDF and 23% from local authorities. While 87% accessed financial aid from the National Insurance Institute, single or divorced mothers were disproportionately excluded.

At least 50 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza within the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll since the conflict began nearly two years ago to 66,055, with 168,346 injured.

Many victims remain trapped under rubble or on the streets, inaccessible to rescue workers. During the same period, Israeli forces opened fire on civilians gathering aid supplies, killing five and injuring 48. Since May 27 alone, 2,571 Palestinians have been killed and at least 18,817 injured while trying to collect humanitarian relief.