A spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla has dismissed allegations from the Israeli Foreign Ministry claiming that the humanitarian convoy is funded by Hamas, labeling these assertions as propaganda. The Israeli Foreign Ministry recently shared documents on its X account, asserting to present evidence of Hamas’ direct involvement in financing and carrying out the initiative.
Among the documents was a letter dated 2021, signed by former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Tehran in 2024. This letter allegedly highlights a strong connection between Hamas and the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), an organization founded in Turkey in 2017 to engage the Palestinian diaspora in political affairs. The Israeli Ministry of Defence had previously designated PCPA as a front for Hamas in August 2021.
Another document implicated PCPA members, particularly Saif Abu Kashk, identified as the CEO of Cyber Neptune, a private maritime company from Spain which purportedly operates several ships involved in the Sumud Flotilla. Records indicate that an individual named Saif Abdelrahim Abukeshek leads Cyber Neptune, a Barcelona-based entity that underwent a recent change in corporate focus to maritime transportation just before the flotilla’s scheduled departure on August 31.
Abukeshek has consistently denied any connections to Hamas, emphasizing on social media the transparency of his work with Cyber Neptune and the flotilla’s humanitarian mission aimed at delivering essential aid to Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla spokesperson, Maria Elena Delia, strongly criticized the Israeli claims, asserting that the documents do not substantiate Hamas’ control or funding of the flotilla, which she emphasized is a civil and humanitarian initiative recognized globally. Delia has called for the Israeli government to release the full documents to independent bodies for verification, stating that without transparency, the allegations remain unfounded.
Comprising over 50 vessels and thousands of participants from over 44 countries, the Global Sumud Flotilla is not backed by any governmental entities. Its goal is to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and provide humanitarian assistance, which Israel has consistently contested, labelling the flotilla as a Hamas-led operation operating outside of international law.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned the flotilla as a coordinated Hamas effort disguised as a humanitarian mission. Delia noted the similarity to past events, referencing the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, where ships in a previous flotilla faced violent confrontation with the Israeli navy, resulting in fatalities.
As the Global Sumud Flotilla continues its journey along Egypt’s eastern coast, it is set to reach a critical area in international waters, previously known for Israeli navy interceptions of vessels attempting to breach the Gaza blockade. The situation remains tense, with the flotilla receiving attention from various European officials for further commentary on this humanitarian endeavor.