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Israeli authorities said 430 activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla were being transferred to Israel after their vessels were intercepted at sea.
The Global Sumud Flotilla had sailed from Türkiye last week, with around 50 ships departing from the country’s southwest on Thursday. The vessels were the latest attempt by activists to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
A website tracking the flotilla’s location later showed several vessels being intercepted west of Cyprus.
A spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry said late Tuesday that all 430 activists had been transferred to Israeli vessels and were heading to Israel, where they would be able to meet with consular representatives.
“Another PR flotilla has come to an end. All 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are making their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet with their consular representatives,” the spokesperson said.
“This flotilla has once again proved to be nothing more than a PR stunt at the service of Hamas,” the spokesperson added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier denounced the flotilla as “a malicious scheme designed to break the blockade we have imposed on Hamas terrorists in Gaza.”
The U.S. on Tuesday sanctioned four people associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla and accused them of being “pro-terrorist.”
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Nine Indonesian citizens who were part of the flotilla “have all been reported arrested by Israel,” a spokesperson for Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry said, citing information dated Wednesday.
Indonesia called on Israel to immediately release all vessels and crew members, saying “every diplomatic channel and consular measure will continue to be fully utilized."
Indonesian newspaper Republika earlier said two of its journalists were among the nine Indonesians detained.
Türkiye and Spain condemned the interception.
Organizers said the flotilla also included 15 Irish citizens, including Margaret Connolly, the sister of President Catherine Connolly.
Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
During the Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, the territory has suffered severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies, with Israel at times halting aid deliveries entirely.
A previous flotilla attempt was intercepted last month in international waters off Greece, with most activists expelled to Europe.
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