Israeli forces board Gaza-bound flotilla near Cyprus, activists say

Pro-Palestinian activists said Israeli forces boarded a flotilla of more than 50 boats carrying aid for Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus on Friday, accusing Israel of illegal piracy.

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) reported that armed commandos climbed onto several vessels about 250 nautical miles (460km) from Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade. The group broadcast a video stream showing the boarding.

Israel’s foreign ministry did not immediately comment on the interception. Earlier, it described the flotilla as “a provocation for the sake of provocation” and alleged it involved “two violent Turkish groups.”

Last month, Israeli forces intercepted 22 boats from the same flotilla near Crete, detaining approximately 175 activists. All but two were released the next day on the Greek island after widespread international condemnation.

Two activists—Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Ávila—were taken back to Israel for questioning and deported after spending 10 days in custody.

The remaining boats from that incident later sailed to the Turkish port of Marmaris, where about 50 vessels departed last Thursday heading southeast toward Gaza.

Activists on board said they aimed to deliver urgently needed aid to Palestinians in Gaza, where living conditions are dire and most of the 2.1 million population remains displaced, despite a ceasefire agreed by Israel and Hamas seven months ago.

Israel’s foreign ministry said it would not allow any breach of the maritime blockade on Gaza, which it insisted was lawful, and described Gaza as “flooded with aid.”

The United Nations said last week that humanitarian operations continue to be undermined by restrictions on imports of critical spare parts, backup generators and other equipment, as well as shortages of essential inputs including fuel and engine oil.

The UN also reported that only 86% of humanitarian supplies initially approved by Israeli authorities for entry into Gaza were ultimately offloaded at border crossings, with the rest returned to their points of origin.

The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage.

Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 72,760 people, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.

The flotilla’s interception occurred as activists insisted that the maritime blockade is illegal under international law, a claim Israel rejects.