Ashdod: Israeli army forces have intercepted and detained a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, capturing around 100 activists as they attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to the blockaded region. Live broadcasts from the flotilla showed Israeli naval forces boarding the boats, which were part of the Global Sumud mission, one by one.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the detained activists were being transferred to a navy ship described as a 'floating prison' before being transported to the port of Ashdod in southern Israel. Video footage shared by the organizers captured the moment Israeli forces approached and took control of the vessels.

Media reports suggest the military operation could extend for several hours due to the distance between the flotilla's ships. The crisis management team of the flotilla confirmed that contact had been lost with 23 of the convoy's vessels after Israeli soldiers boarded them.

Under international maritime law, as outlined in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, ships are generally protected under the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters. The current situation raises questions about the legality of Israel's actions, as the seizure of foreign vessels in such waters is generally considered unlawful except under specific conditions not applicable to the Global Sumud Flotilla.

The flotilla, which embarked from the Turkish district of Marmaris, aimed to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza established in 2007. It carried humanitarian aid, including baby formula, and had 426 participants from a wide array of countries, including Turkey, Germany, the US, and more.

This incident follows a similar interception by Israeli forces on April 29, when another Gaza-bound aid mission was halted off the coast of Crete. In that operation, 177 activists were detained in international waters.

Despite a ceasefire since last October, tensions remain high as Israel continues to restrict the flow of agreed humanitarian supplies into Gaza. The blockade affects approximately 2.4 million Palestinians, including 1.5 million displaced individuals living under dire humanitarian conditions. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 72,000 deaths and 172,000 injuries reported by Gaza's Health Ministry since October 2023.