CAIRO: Israeli forces have intercepted vessels from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters off Cyprus, organisers said on Monday, as video footage showed troops boarding several boats in an operation targeting a convoy headed for the besieged Palestinian enclave.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an international activist movement leading the mission, said Israeli military personnel boarded multiple vessels while the convoy was sailing towards Gaza.
“Global Sumud Flotilla is under attack!” the group wrote on social media platform X.
RED ALERT!
Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet and IOF forces are boarding the first of our boats in broad daylight.
We demand safe passage for our legal, non-violent humanitarian mission. Governments must act now to stop these illegal acts or piracy meant to… pic.twitter.com/4RmPuswZNo
— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) May 18, 2026
It said Israeli forces had “illegally and violently intercepted our international fleet of humanitarian vessels and abducted our volunteers”, adding that the operation constituted violations of international maritime law.
The organisers demanded the immediate release of detained activists and called for an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
Video footage shared by the flotilla showed activists filming as Israeli naval forces approached and boarded boats at sea.
Soldados del ejército genocida de Israel abordan ilegalmente embarcaciones de la Flotilla y revientan las cámaras de seguimiento. En aguas internacionales del Mediterráneo, a 260 millas náuticas de Gaza y a plena luz del día. Impunidad patrocinada por la complicidad europea. pic.twitter.com/FzQSxagLZT
— alemvelasco_ (@alemvelasco_) May 18, 2026
The GSF said the interceptions took place in international waters west of Cyprus as the convoy attempted to sail towards Gaza.
Bader al-Noaimi, co-leader of the flotilla’s legal team, said the vessels were in international waters at the time of the operation.
He said the flotilla was also within Cyprus’s search and rescue zone and argued that Cypriot authorities had obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to respond to distress calls.
“We have been making distress calls since the start of the attack against the flotilla,” al-Noaimi said, adding that calls began at around 07:20 GMT.
He described the flotilla as a “peaceful humanitarian mission” and accused Israel of conducting a military operation against civilian vessels.
Israel warned flotilla to turn back
About an hour before the reported interceptions, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned the convoy to change course.
“Change course and turn back immediately,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X.
The ministry has previously said it would not allow any attempt to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since 2007.
Israeli officials say the blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas and other armed groups.
Rights organisations and humanitarian groups have repeatedly criticised the restrictions, calling them collective punishment.
Detentions after vessels intercepted
Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that activists on board were being detained and transferred to an Israeli naval vessel before being taken to the port of Ashdod.
The Turkish branch of the flotilla campaign said one of its vessels, the Munki, came under “attack” and “close harassment” by Israeli naval boats.
“We have currently lost contact with the vessel,” Global Sumud Turkiye said on X.
On Monday afternoon, organisers said Israeli forces had intercepted at least 16 vessels. They added that some 24 Turkish nationals were among those on board intercepted boats.
The flotilla said more than 50 vessels had set sail from the Turkish port of Marmaris last week as part of the final stage of its mission to challenge the blockade.
More than 460 activists from 45 countries were reportedly participating.
Organisers said the convoy was carrying humanitarian supplies including food, baby formula and medical aid for civilians in Gaza.
