US sanctions organizers of Gaza aid flotilla

The United States has imposed sanctions on four activists involved in aid flotilla campaigns attempting to break Israel's 19-year blockade of Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, most of whom have been displaced by war. The sanctions were announced Tuesday after at least 430 activists were detained in Israeli interceptions of aid vessels, as Gaza faces shortages of food and essential goods due to aid restrictions.

Washington accused the flotilla organizers, without providing public evidence, of trying to reach the Palestinian territory to support Hamas. Israel's blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel. More than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023, and over 800 have died since Israel agreed to a so-called ceasefire in October last year.

International activists say the flotillas aim to deliver aid and draw attention to the blockade, described by human rights groups and UN experts as collective punishment of Palestinians. Gaza has been under air, land, and sea blockade since 2007.

With activists from over 46 countries detained, organizers fear the sanctions and Hamas-related allegations are being used to justify further crackdowns. These concerns follow previous accusations by activists of abuse, including sexual assault, during earlier ship interceptions. Organizers also allege Israeli naval forces fired rubber bullets at activists in the latest interception, which occurred in international waters.

This is the same propaganda used against any humanitarian mission, said Sumeyra Akdeniz Ordu, a member of the steering committee of the Global Sumud Flotilla, speaking to Al Jazeera. They are trying to change the narrative. The sanctions are not targeting four of our comrades but all of us.

The US Treasury announced sanctions targeting four activists linked to Gaza aid flotilla campaigns. The measures target two representatives from the Palestinian People's Conference Abroad and two members of Samidoun, an international advocacy network on behalf of Palestinian prisoners. Those sanctioned include Mohammed Khatib of Samidoun, Jaldia Abubakra, Saif Abu Keshek, and Hisham Abu Mahfouz.

US President Donald Trump accused the activists of supporting Hamas. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said: The pro-terror flotilla trying to reach Gaza is a ridiculous attempt to undermine President Trump's successful process toward lasting peace in the region. The Treasury alleged the flotilla was organized by the PCPA, an organization formed with Hamas funding.

Flotilla organizers and human rights advocates condemned the sanctions as an effort to criminalize humanitarian solidarity with Gaza. We are not afraid of sanctions, Ordu said. We will not give up, even if using land convoys or new strategies. Former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn criticized Western governments for enabling Israel's assault on Gaza. Irish MP Paul Murphy described the sanctions as another illustration that Israel's genocide is backed by US power.

The modern aid flotilla movement emerged in 2006 and expanded after Israel imposed its blockade on Gaza in 2007. Since 2008, hundreds of ships have attempted to reach Gaza, but from 2010 onward, Israel has intercepted most flotillas in international waters. The deadliest incident occurred in May 2010 when Israeli forces raided the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, killing 10 activists. Flotillas in 2015 and 2018 were also intercepted. The latest mission follows a large flotilla in 2025, from which hundreds of activists were detained and deported.

Organizers say many detained in the latest interception remain missing. They have no contact with lawyers. They are denied consular access. Families have not been informed of their whereabouts, the organizers stated.