The United States has imposed sanctions on four European organizers and activists involved in the Gaza-bound “Global Sumud Flotilla,” according to an announcement by the US Treasury Department on Tuesday.
The sanctioned individuals were identified as Saif Abu Keshek, Zaldia Abubakra Auweda, Hisham Abdullah Suleiman Abu Mahfouz, and Mohammad Khatib.
US authorities said the four were involved in organizing the aid convoy through the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, a group that is already under US sanctions.
The “Global Sumud Flotilla” reportedly departed from the Turkish port city of Marmaris last week with more than 50 vessels carrying humanitarian aid intended for the besieged Gaza Strip. Organizers described the mission as the final phase of a planned journey toward the Gaza coast.
However, several vessels in the flotilla were recently intercepted by Israeli forces while traveling through international waters, according to organizers.
In a statement, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent strongly criticized the flotilla, describing it as “terrorist-aligned.”
Bessent said the convoy represented “a ridiculous attempt” to undermine what he described as US President Donald Trump’s progress toward achieving lasting peace in the region.
The sanctions are expected to freeze any US-based assets linked to the individuals and restrict American entities from engaging in transactions with them.
The development comes amid continuing international tensions over the humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip and growing debate over aid access to the Palestinian enclave.
