Adnaan and Tor Stumo, two brothers from Sheffield, Massachusetts, are on a flotilla of nearly 50 ships headed to Gaza with humanitarian aid supplies for Palestinians.
The ships carrying medical supplies, food and baby formula set out about a month ago from Barcelona, organized by the activist group Global Samud Flotilla. On Wednesday, the group entered international waters in the Mediterranean Sea north of Egypt, where the Israeli navy has stopped other flotillas in the past.
The Israeli government has accused organizers of being linked to Hamas — a claim that organizers deny — and has promised to block their arrival. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said on the social media platform X that flotilla organizers have “rejected all proposed compromise” and that the effort is “all about provocation.”
“There’s never been this many ships going to Gaza before,” Adnaan told GBH News late on Tuesday. “If we’re struck down, it just means that we have to do more.”
Activists report their fleet was already targeted by drones and communications jamming. Some of the ships were damaged, but no one on board sustained injuries.
“We understand that there is likely to be some level of violence against us, but we are fully committed,” Adnaan said.
Israel imposed the naval blockade in 2007 and has said the blockade is legal as the country battles Hamas militants in Gaza.
Israeli officials have proposed that the activists take the aid to an Israeli port, and that it would then be taken into Gaza. In a post on X, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar urged the group to stop its course, saying “it’s not too late” to peacefully transfer aid.
“Thousands of tons of aid have gone there with the intention of being distributed to Palestinians in Gaza, but it’s rotting outside the borders, they won’t let it in,” Tor Sturmo told GBH News.
The brothers say the flotilla members are preparing for their approaching encounter with the Israeli government, going so far as to throw screwdrivers and kitchen knives overboard.
“We’re making sure nobody will be running on deck,” Adnaan said. “Everyone will be sitting with their hands above their head, not holding objects that could be perceived as a weapon.”
Adnaan, 32, is a longtime boat captain and was a coordinator with the grassroots anti-war feminist organization CODEPINK before moving to the West Bank last year to conduct humanitarian work. He and Tor, a 26-year-old maritime engineer and activist, both responded to the call for activists with relevant experience to join the flotilla.
“This is serving as sort of a focal point of organization for many, many, thousands, I mean, really millions of people around the globe,” Adnaan said. “It’s providing visibility, and it’s providing hope.”
As the ships have moved along the Mediterranean, Adnaan says he’s been inspired by messages of encouragement posted on social media by Palestinians in Gaza.
“Everyone from little girls, you know, 9 years old, standing on the beach saying, we’re praying for you. We’re watching the horizon, hoping to see the sails,” he said. “Seeing all the videos from the Gazans is humbling and validating and, and it makes it very much worth facing whatever risks that we are facing.”
