Will Israel Let Gaza Flotilla In? A Surprising New Plan Revealed
: A pro-Israel group suggests allowing the Global Sumud Flotilla to deliver aid to Gaza if it evacuates refugees, aligning with humanitarian and security goals.
The Habithonistim movement, a group of former Israeli military officers advocating for national sovereignty, proposed a bold solution to address the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. The flotilla, carrying activists like Greta Thunberg and Liam Cunningham, aims to deliver humanitarian aid and “open a corridor” to Gaza. This off course completely ignores the multiple aid distribution sites set up by Israel and the U.S. through the humanitarian organization GHF.
Habithonistim suggested allowing the flotilla to reach Gaza on the condition that it evacuates Gazan refugees, turning a publicity stunt into a humanitarian opportunity. The group argued, “From a moral standpoint, and under international law, war refugees must be allowed to leave combat zones. Therefore, for Israel’s international standing, adopting the maritime route as a channel for refugees could serve as an appropriate solution to the challenge.”
The proposal aligns with Israeli and U.S. policies promoting voluntary migration from Gaza, where Hamas’s rule and the ongoing war, sparked by its October 7, 2023, terror attack. Habithonistim emphasized, “Making entry conditional on the removal of refugees will absolutely meet US and Israeli goals to promote voluntary migration, while also taking a humanitarian approach. Nothing is more humanitarian than enabling an escape route from Hamas’ clutches.” They stressed that strict security measures, including cargo inspections and passenger verification, would prevent hostage smuggling.
Critics view the flotilla as a misguided effort by activists ignoring Hamas’s diversion of aid and attacks on distribution points. Allowing activists to enter Gaza could expose them to the realities of Hamas’s control, potentially disillusioning them, or redirect their efforts toward legitimate aid channels like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which safely distributes aid to millions. The flotilla, expected to reach Gaza by mid-September with around 70 vessels, follows failed attempts in May, June, and July 2025, all intercepted by Israel’s Navy. Habithonistim’s proposal offers a pragmatic alternative, balancing security with humanitarian optics, while challenging activists to confront the complexities of Gaza’s situation firsthand.