IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmaeil Qa’ani Says Global Sumud Flotilla Global Sumud Flotilla Exposed Israel Amid Gaza Blockade Tensions

The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, Esmaeil Qa’ani, has praised the international Gaza-bound mission of the Global Sumud Flotilla, stating that it has had significant political and symbolic impact despite Israeli interception efforts.

“The victories and achievements of the [Global] Sumud Flotilla continue,” Brigadier General Esmaeil Qa’ani wrote in a message on Wednesday.

According to him, the mission challenged global narratives and exposed what he described as contradictions in Western political positions. “It brought down the walls of deception surrounding the freedoms claimed by Western civilization and further exposed Zionist fascism,” he said.

Qa’ani further argued that the flotilla shifted international attention back to Palestine amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian concerns. “It returned Palestine to the center of global attention,” the commander added.

He also claimed the broader political consequences were accelerating pressure on Israel. “It brought the defeated Zionist regime, which has intensified its criminal repression, faster than before to the end point.”

The remarks followed reports that Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters near Cyprus earlier this week.

The flotilla stated that its vessels were attacked “in broad daylight” while sailing in international waters, calling the action a violation of international norms and demanding safe passage for humanitarian aid.

Israeli media reported that detained activists were transferred to naval custody before being taken to Ashdod port, with a ship described as a “floating prison.”

This incident adds to a series of confrontations involving attempts to deliver aid to Gaza, where ongoing blockade conditions and renewed conflict have created severe humanitarian challenges since the escalation of war in October 2023.