Watch: Israeli Forces Intercept Over 39 Gaza-Bound Aid Vessels In Eastern Mediterranean

Israeli naval forces intercepted dozens of Gaza-bound aid vessels in the eastern Mediterranean on Monday, increasing tensions around Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.

Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli forces had intercepted at least 39 boats from a convoy of more than 50 vessels that sailed from southern Turkey last week carrying activists and humanitarian aid.

Several vessels were still sailing toward Gaza by Monday evening, according to the group’s live tracker.

Israel’s foreign ministry said on X that it “will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Israeli naval commandos for stopping the flotilla and said the operation was carried out with less publicity than organisers had hoped for.

The interceptions took place in waters off Cyprus. A livestream from one of the vessels showed Israeli commandos approaching the boats on speedboats before the broadcast suddenly ended.

Cyprus authorities said the operation happened around 167 km (104 miles) off the island’s coast and outside Cypriot territorial waters.

Officials said they had not received any distress calls, while Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said Israel had not informed Cyprus before carrying out the operation.

Israel has intercepted an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, stopping nearly 20 ships and detaining around 100 activists on a humanitarian mission, as Palestinians face severe shortages under the ongoing Israeli blockade.

Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum reports. pic.twitter.com/diT6Knp1f9

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 19, 2026

The flotilla organisers accused Israel of “illegally and violently” intercepting the vessels and detaining activists.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called the operation “piracy and banditry” and said Turkey stood with Gaza and the activists involved in the flotilla.

Turkey’s foreign ministry also described the Israeli action as a “new act of piracy” and said Ankara was working with other countries to ensure the safe return of Turkish citizens on board.

Officials from Spain, Ireland and Indonesia also criticised the operation after citizens from their countries were reported among those detained.

The flotilla was led by Turkish aid organisation IHH, which Israel designates as a terrorist organisation.

The group also organised the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla, during which 10 Turkish activists were killed in clashes with Israeli commandos after attempting to breach the Gaza blockade.

Israel has repeatedly described the flotillas as publicity operations and said organisers refused offers to transfer aid through official humanitarian channels into Gaza.

Israel’s foreign ministry later released footage showing activists being transferred to Israeli vessels and said no aid had yet been found aboard the intercepted boats.

One activist aboard the vessel L’Arq, Ahmet Soylemez, said the crew expected Israeli forces to stop them once they neared Gaza.

According to the flotilla’s live tracker, the vessel was around 215 nautical miles from Gaza before the operation intensified.

The latest incident comes months after earlier flotilla attempts were also stopped by Israeli forces.

A previous flotilla that sailed from Spain in April was intercepted, with more than 100 activists taken to Crete and two others detained in Israel.

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

Another flotilla organised last October was also stopped, and Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was among more than 450 participants arrested.

Aid groups and Palestinian officials say supplies entering Gaza remain insufficient despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October that included plans to increase humanitarian aid deliveries.

Most of Gaza’s population of more than two million people has been displaced and many are living in damaged buildings or temporary shelters.

Israel denies restricting humanitarian aid and said more than 1.58 million metric tons of aid and thousands of tons of medical supplies have entered Gaza since October 2025.

Why The Eastern Mediterranean Matters

The eastern Mediterranean is an important shipping route connecting Europe, the Middle East and the Suez Canal.

Any naval tensions in the area are closely watched by commercial shipping companies and regional security agencies.

Gaza Naval Blockade

Israel has maintained a naval blockade on Gaza for years, saying it is needed to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas.

Aid flotillas attempting to challenge the blockade have repeatedly caused confrontations at sea.

What Happens During Interceptions

Israeli naval interdictions typically involve missile ships, fast patrol craft and naval commandos boarding civilian vessels before escorting them to the Israeli port of Ashdod for processing and detention procedures.

The operation marked the latest attempt by activists to challenge Israel’s maritime restrictions around Gaza following earlier flotilla interceptions in April and October.

Organisers said they expected detained activists to be transferred to Ashdod before deportation procedures begin.

Some flotilla vessels were still sailing toward Gaza late Monday, raising the possibility of more interceptions as Israeli naval operations continue in the eastern Mediterranean.

References: Reuters, Times of Israel