Gaza flotilla: 41 vessels intercepted, 10 still sailing toward Gaza
Gaza flotilla: 41 vessels intercepted, 10 still sailing toward Gaza
Israel says it will not allow a breach of Gaza's naval blockade as the Global Sumud flotilla faces interception; Erdogan condemns the move from Ankara.
An international aid flotilla bound for Gaza reported that Israeli forces intercepted 41 vessels in the eastern Mediterranean, with 10 ships still sailing toward the enclave. The flotilla’s organizers said the closest vessel to Gaza, Sirius, was about 145 nautical miles away, as the group pressed on with its mission to deliver humanitarian aid despite warnings. Israel’s Foreign Ministry had earlier stated on X that it ‘will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza’.
From Ankara, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemned the interception, describing the operation as an affront to humanitarian efforts and urging the international community to act. The flotilla, part of the Global Sumud initiative, comprises 426 participants from 39 countries across 54 vessels so far, organizers said after setting sail from southern Turkey on May 14.
The organizers said 38 ships carrying 319 activists were about 250 nautical miles from Gaza when they were intercepted, underscoring the scale of the mission and the international attention it has drawn. Live broadcasts from the flotilla showed commandos boarding several boats attempting to breach the Gaza maritime blockade.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has urged participants to turn back, insisting it would uphold the blockade. The latest interception marks another tense turn in a string of attempts to deliver aid by sea, with previous efforts blocked in international waters after starting from Turkish shores.
Despite the mounting pressure and international headlines, organizers said the flotilla remains determined to press on, highlighting a broader conflict over how best to alleviate Gaza’s humanitarian needs amid ongoing fighting and a tightened blockade.
