Israel's foreign ministry says the latest international flotilla bound for Gaza to deliver aid "has come to an end" and 430 activists on board its vessels are being taken to Israel.
"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 ministry said on social media platform X.
"This flotilla has once again proved to be nothing more than a PR stunt at the service of Hamas. Israel will continue to act in full accordance with international law and will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza."
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.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 19, 2026
This flotilla has once again proved to be nothing more than a PR stunt at…
At no point was live ammunition fired," the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement.
"Following multiple warnings, non-lethal means were employed toward the vessels - not toward protesters - as a warning. No protesters were injured during these events," it added.
The Global Sumud Flotilla later said that all 50 boats in the flotilla had been intercepted in the eastern Mediterranean, with 428 participants from more than 40 countries detained.
The stated aim of the "Gaza Sumud Flotilla" according to its organisers, is to "open a humanitarian corridor" and "break the illegal siege on Gaza".
Organisers said in a post on X that Israel "has again illegally and violently intercepted our international fleet of humanitarian vessels and abducted our volunteers as they undertake a legitimate mission to break the illegal siege on Gaza and open a humanitarian corridor."
"We are outraged by the normalisation of these violations of international maritime law and the kidnapping of peaceful civilians in international waters," the post said.
"We demand the immediate release of our participants, the safe passage of our entire fleet, and an end to the illegal siege of Gaza."
Video from the flotilla's livestream showed soldiers firing shots at two of the boats. The type of ammunition fired was not clear.
#Israel Illegally Attacked & Boarded #FreedomFlotilla Boats in International Waters https://t.co/WuFUriey6H
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) May 19, 2026
TAKE ACTION NOW: https://t.co/cUjpiV2HWb #EndGazaBlockade pic.twitter.com/TnIXHZ0eo9
The Global Sumud Flotilla was founded last year by several international activist networks. "Sumud" means steadfastness in Arabic.
Israel has thwarted past attempts by activists to break the Israeli naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, which has been in place since 2007 and is also supported by Egypt.
Activists have previously been deported back to their home countries after a period of time in Israeli custody.
Palestinians and international aid bodies say supplies reaching Gaza are still insufficient, despite a ceasefire agreed in October that included guarantees of increased aid.
Most of Gaza's more than two million people have been displaced, many now living in bombed-out homes and makeshift tents pitched on open ground, roadsides, or atop the ruins of destroyed buildings.
Israel, which controls all access to the Gaza Strip, denies withholding supplies for its residents.
with Reuters
