Israeli defence chief says “sanctions” imposed on Gaza aid flotilla fundraisers

A pro-Palestinian maritime mission attempting to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza is expected to reach waters off the territory within days, as Israel prepares to intercept the flotilla and moves to restrict its funding channels, according to Israeli officials.

The flotilla, reportedly made up of around 100 vessels and approximately 1,000 participants from multiple countries, is scheduled to approach the coast of Gaza over the weekend. The Israeli Navy is preparing to intercept the convoy, as it has done with previous activist-led maritime missions, Israeli media reports.

Israeli Defece Minister Israel Katz said he had taken financial measures targeting those involved in fundraising for the initiative. In a statement, he said he “imposed sanctions” on a crowdfunding campaign linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Katz said the flotilla was “organized by the Hamas terror organization, in cooperation with additional international organizations and under the guise of a humanitarian aid flotilla.”

“The imposition of sanctions on the crowdfunding campaign constitutes a significant step in the effort to disrupt the flotilla’s sources of funding,” the statement reads, adding that it is “intended to deter donors from contributing to a terror organization.”

The practical impact of the measures remains unclear. The statement notes that under Israeli law, the defence minister has authority to order the seizure of property linked to designated terrorist organisations or assets intended for use in terrorism-related activity.

The Israeli Navy is expected to intercept the vessels at sea, likely before they approach Gaza’s territorial waters. In previous incidents, similar flotillas have been stopped well short of the coast.

Israeli authorities have repeatedly described such missions as publicity-driven initiatives, arguing that organisers have refused to transfer aid through established channels. Officials have said that small quantities of symbolic humanitarian supplies carried on earlier missions could be delivered into Gaza via Israel or international organisations for distribution.

By Sabina Mammadli