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The Israeli navy has begun intercepting vessels belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Global Sumud Fleet in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Israeli media reported Thursday, as the humanitarian mission aimed at breaking the Gaza blockade lost contact with all 11 of its ships.
An Israeli source quoted by Army Radio said forces had begun seizing the aid flotilla's vessels "far from Israeli shores." Channel 12 television reported that at least one ship had already been boarded and taken over by the Israeli navy. The vessels were said to be located hundreds of nautical miles from the Gaza coast, in waters off the island of Crete.
The Israeli military, responding to a query from the Anadolu Agency, said the navy was "determined to maintain the blockade on Gaza and is prepared for various scenarios," but stopped short of confirming or denying whether an interception had taken place. A military spokesperson referred further questions to the Foreign Ministry, which had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Activists aboard the flotilla announced that Israel had begun what they characterized as an unlawful intervention, even as the fleet reported losing all communication with its 11 vessels in international waters.
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The flotilla's "2026 Spring Mission" departed from Sicily, Italy, on April 26, after completing final preparations on the island. The mission was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international civil society grouping that seeks to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian supplies to its population.
The 2026 mission comes as the second major attempt by the Global Sumud Fleet to reach Gaza. In September 2025, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international Mediterranean waters, boarding vessels by force, detaining the volunteers on board, and transferring them to Israel, in actions the organizers condemned as illegal under international law.
Israel has maintained a naval blockade of Gaza since 2007, when Hamas took control of the territory. The blockade, which Israel says is necessary to prevent weapons smuggling, has been a source of sustained international controversy. Critics, including United Nations agencies and human rights organizations, have long argued that the restrictions severely limit the flow of food, medicine, and other essential goods into Gaza.
Previous flotilla interceptions, including Israel's 2010 raid on the MV Mavi Marmara, which resulted in the deaths of 10 activists, drew widespread international condemnation and strained diplomatic relations, particularly with Türkiye.
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