‘For The First Time’: Israel Alleges Hamas’s ‘Direct Involvement’ With Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla

Last Updated:October 02, 2025, 13:25 IST

Israel says documents recovered in Gaza show the Global Sumud flotilla was coordinated through the PCPA, a Hamas-aligned body it designated as a terror group in 2021

Crew interacts from aboard a boat, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla aiming to reach Gaza and break Israel’s naval blockade, as it sails off Koufonisi islet, Greece, September 26, 2025. (REUTERS)

Israel has claimed that documents recovered by its troops in Gaza prove for the first time Hamas’s “direct involvement” in the funding and execution of the Global Sumud Flotilla, the Gaza-bound convoy intercepted by Israeli forces on Wednesday.

The flotilla, made up of more than 40 ships carrying over 500 participants from 44 countries, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Zwelivelile Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, was billed by organisers as a humanitarian mission to deliver food and medicine to Palestinians under blockade. Israel says the documents reveal a very different story.

Israel’s Claim: Hamas Behind The Flotilla

In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry alleged that papers discovered in Gaza linked the flotilla to Hamas’s foreign arm, the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians (PCPA). Established in 2018, the PCPA “functions as Hamas’ representative body abroad, operating de facto as Hamas’ embassies,” the ministry said. Israel had designated the organisation as a terrorist group in 2021, describing it as a wing of Hamas that operates under civilian cover while mobilising demonstrations, marches, and flotillas against Israel.

The ministry said Hamas runs activities inside Gaza directly, while what it calls “Hamas Abroad” oversees operations outside the Strip, with the PCPA serving as the key structure for such campaigns.

The Two Documents Cited By Israel

Israel said it has published two official documents seized in Gaza:

1. A 2021 letter signed by Ismail Haniyeh, then head of Hamas’s political bureau, “directly and explicitly” endorsing the PCPA chairman and calling for unity. The ministry said this letter proved Hamas leadership’s direct role in backing the PCPA.
2. A list of PCPA operatives discovered in a Hamas outpost in Gaza, which included several high-ranking Hamas-linked figures. Among them was Zaher Birawi, identified as head of PCPA’s Hamas sector in the UK. Birawi has for years been associated with flotilla missions and was a spokesman for the Turkish-led Mavi Marmara flotilla in 2010, which ended in a deadly Israeli raid. Israel published photographs showing him alongside flotilla activists and senior Hamas leaders.

Also named was Saif Abu Kashk, a Spain-based member of the PCPA and CEO of a company called Cyber Neptune. Israel alleged that Cyber Neptune is a front operation that secretly owns dozens of the vessels taking part in the Global Sumud flotilla, thereby proving that Hamas has covert control of the mission.

Flotilla Organisers Reject Allegations

Flotilla organisers denied Israel’s claims, maintaining that their mission was humanitarian in nature. They said their vessels carried food, medicine and other life-saving supplies, and accused Israel of “illegally intercepting and boarding” the fleet in international waters.

The Global Sumud flotilla had left Spain last month, with organisers describing it as an act of solidarity to “break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza.” Ships including the Alma, Sirius and Adara were among those intercepted.

Israeli Interception And Arrests

On Wednesday, Israeli forces boarded several of the flotilla’s ships. Passengers, including Greta Thunberg, were taken to an Israeli port, where authorities said they were “safe and healthy.” Only one observer boat managed to avoid capture.

Among those detained was former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, who was leading Pakistan’s delegation. His arrest prompted protests from pro-Palestinian groups in Pakistan, who called for his immediate release.

“Pakistani Delegation Lead Ex Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan has been arrested by Israeli Occupying Forces,” said the Pak–Palestine Forum on X.

“Only one ship has managed to escape i.e. observer boat, whose duty was to collect information and escape. Our second delegate Syed Uzair Nizami was sailing on the observer boat and shared the information regarding the interception of Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan’s ship,” said the advocacy group.

International Fallout

The flotilla organisers said their vessels had been “illegally intercepted and boarded” in international waters around 8:30 pm Gaza time (1730 GMT).

The raid sparked condemnation abroad. Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced he would expel remaining Israeli diplomats. Turkey’s foreign minister called the interception “an act of terrorism that constitutes the most serious violation of international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians”. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim accused Israel of showing “utter contempt” for humanitarian principles by blocking a civilian convoy.

Meanwhile, Spain and Italy, whose naval vessels had escorted the flotilla earlier, urged the organisers to abandon their mission before entering Israel’s declared exclusion zone off Gaza. The activists rejected this as an attempt to “sabotage” their campaign.

Wider Context

Israel and Egypt have maintained varying levels of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power in 2007. Israel insists the measures are vital to curb Hamas’s military build-up, while humanitarian groups, including the United Nations, say the restrictions have fuelled famine and widespread suffering.

The latest interception has once again put flotillas at the centre of the Gaza conflict. But this time, Israel argues, the evidence it has presented shows that the mission was not merely symbolic activism but an operation directly guided and supported by Hamas.

About the Author

Karishma Jain

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar…Read More

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar… Read More

Read More

Go to Source