Ankara, May 18: The Israeli military intercepted several boats belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Cyprus on Monday, preventing activists from attempting to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.
More than 50 vessels had departed from Marmaris, Turkiye, in what organisers described as the final stage of a mission aimed at reaching Gaza and drawing global attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
Livestream footage released by the organisers showed activists wearing life jackets and raising their hands as Israeli troops boarded the vessels. Israeli forces, arriving on speedboats and wearing tactical gear, instructed passengers to move to the front of the boats before taking control.
The livestream ended abruptly after troops boarded one of the ships. According to flotilla organisers, at least 14 boats were intercepted within the first few hours of the operation, around 250 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast. The activists are expected to be taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Before the interception, Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the flotilla as a political provocation rather than a genuine humanitarian mission, claiming the vessels carried no meaningful aid.
The Israeli military did not officially comment on the operation. Meanwhile, Hamas condemned the interception as “piracy” and urged international pressure on Israel to lift the Gaza blockade.
The Turkish government also criticised the operation, calling it a violation of international law and demanding the immediate release of detained activists.
Ankara said it was working to ensure the safe return of Turkish nationals involved in the flotilla. Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007, arguing it is necessary for security reasons.
Critics, however, describe the blockade as collective punishment against Gaza’s civilian population.
Previous flotilla attempts have similarly failed, including the 2010 raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara in which 10 activists were killed. The latest mission comes amid continuing tensions in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain dire despite ongoing ceasefire efforts.
Organisers say the flotilla’s main goal is to highlight shortages of food, medicine and shelter affecting nearly 2 million Palestinians in Gaza. (AP)
