Global Sumud Flotilla: Life Support Stops at Agreed Distance in International Waters

1 October 2025 - Life Support, EMERGENCY's search and rescue vessel, is now 150 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza as agreed with the Global Sumud Flotilla Steering Committee at the start of its mission, and will remain in this position in international waters for the next few hours.

In recent weeks, EMERGENCY's ship has accompanied the Flotilla, acting as an observer and medical, technical and logistical support vessel. Life Support has so far carried out 20 interventions in support of the fleet's boats, including nine for technical and mechanical assistance, five for medical assistance, two for logistical assistance and two rescues following mayday calls.

"If the Israeli government intercepts the boats of the Flotilla and arrests the crews in international waters, it would be a very serious matter: a truly hostile act against a non-violent humanitarian mission," says Anabel Montes Mier, Head of Mission on board Life Support. "It would be yet another incident that falls outside international law. In addition to verbal condemnation, we expect protection and concrete reactions from states and institutions, which have always been extremely reactive when it comes to defending borders. We ask them for a political and diplomatic commitment to ensure the safety of the Flotilla, which is acting in accordance with international law."

EMERGENCY - which entered the Gaza Strip in August 2024 and is present with two healthcare projects that together treat an average of over 600 people a day - is a direct witness to the desperate conditions in which the population is forced to survive: without food, water, medicine, homes or shelter, under constant bombardment and with constant evacuation orders. This is precisely why EMERGENCY has decided to support the humanitarian initiative of the Global Sumud Flotilla to bring aid to the people of Gaza and open a permanent humanitarian corridor.

-

Since December 2022, EMERGENCY's search and rescue ship Life Support has rescued over 3,000 people in 36 missions in the central Mediterranean Sea. Accompanying the Flotilla, Life Support sails with 29 people on board, including doctors, nurses, rescuers, cultural mediators, logisticians and crew.