ISRAELI naval forces have reportedly detained around 100 international activists after launching a coordinated operation to intercept and seize vessels participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla mission bound for Gaza.
The operation unfolded in international waters near Cyprus after Israeli warships surrounded the humanitarian convoy and ordered all vessels to halt their engines before commandos boarded several ships, according to flotilla organisers and regional media reports.
AlJazeera reported on Monday that the latest confrontation marks one of the most significant maritime interceptions involving pro-Palestinian humanitarian missions in recent years and is expected to heighten diplomatic and humanitarian pressure over Israel’s long-running blockade on Gaza.
Flotilla organisers said the convoy had been travelling through international waters while attempting to establish a humanitarian maritime corridor into Gaza, carrying hundreds of volunteers, activists and aid supplies intended for civilians inside the Palestinian enclave.
“Military ships are currently blocking our fleet and Israeli forces are boarding our first vessel during daylight hours,” the flotilla said in a statement issued during the operation.
The Global Sumud Flotilla departed from Marmaris, Türkiye, last Thursday with 54 vessels and participants from approximately 70 countries, including doctors, journalists, lawyers and international humanitarian activists.
According to organisers, Israeli naval vessels and fast boats had been shadowing the flotilla hours before the interception began. Sources cited by regional media said at least four Israeli warships participated in the operation.
Israeli media outlet Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security consultations with military officials regarding the flotilla and was expected to monitor developments from naval command headquarters.
Israeli officials reportedly insisted that no vessel would be allowed to breach the naval blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007.
The operation initially focused on securing larger vessels leading the convoy, with Israeli authorities indicating the process of taking control of the flotilla could continue into the following day.
Among the vessels identified by organisers as being involved in the convoy were Zefiro, Cabo Blanco and Elengi.
Israeli media further reported that detained activists would be transferred to the port of Ashdod for documentation procedures before deportation proceedings are carried out.
Despite the military interception, activists aboard remaining vessels reportedly vowed to continue the mission towards Gaza.
One participant speaking via satellite phone reportedly said the convoy would not abandon its humanitarian objective despite Israeli military action.
Campaign organisers accused Israel of carrying out what they described as acts of “piracy” aimed at preserving the blockade on Gaza and warned against the “normalisation of violence” against humanitarian missions operating in international waters.
The incident comes amid heightened geopolitical instability across the Middle East, including ongoing maritime tensions, regional military escalation and repeated warnings by Iranian leaders concerning strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
The seizure of the flotilla is expected to intensify global debate over humanitarian access to Gaza and could trigger renewed diplomatic pressure from governments and international organisations demanding unrestricted aid access to the territory. – May 18, 2026
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