Israeli forces have boarded and seized control of dozens of ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla, one of the largest international attempts to break the 18-year blockade of Gaza.
The attack triggered a wave of condemnation from governments and civil society groups worldwide, with hundreds of activists now detained by Israel.
The flotilla, comprising more than 40 civilian boats with around 500 activists from 44 countries on board, was intercepted late on Wednesday about 70 nautical miles off Gaza's coast.
Organisers said Israeli naval commandos cut communications, jammed signals, and then stormed multiple vessels.
Israel's foreign ministry said those detained were "safe and in good health" and would be deported to Europe once the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur ends on Thursday. "Deportation procedures" have already begun, it confirmed.
According to flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek, more than 200 people were seized from 13 vessels in the first wave of interceptions, including large groups from Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Malaysia.
"We have around 30 ships still resisting and trying to make their way towards Gaza," Abukeshek said. "They are determined."
The flotilla carried small but symbolically significant quantities of aid, including food, baby formula, and medical supplies, intended to highlight the ongoing starvation and devastation of Gaza, where nearly two years of Israeli bombardment have killed over 66,000 people, and hundreds of children, women, and men have died from famine.
Global condemnation
The Israeli attack sparked protests in cities from Rome to Buenos Aires and prompted sharp criticism from governments.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the interception as a "dastardly attack", saying: "Their crime was to carry aid for the hapless Palestinian people. We hope and pray for the safety of all those who have been illegally apprehended and call for their immediate release."
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also condemned what he called Israel's "intimidation and coercion" of unarmed civilians, warning that Tel Aviv had shown "utter contempt for the conscience of the world". At least 12 Malaysian nationals were among those detained.
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro went further, announcing the expulsion of Israeli diplomats and the suspension of a free trade agreement with Israel.
"Here Netanyahu demonstrates his worldwide hypocrisy and why he is a worldwide criminal who must be captured," Petro said in a post online.
Netanyahu, along with his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Harris called Israel’s actions "very concerning", describing the flotilla as "a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe".
Ireland confirmed that some of its citizens were on board and said its embassy in Tel Aviv was engaging Israeli authorities.
Voices from the flotilla
Mandla Mandela, the grandson of South Africa's first post-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, issued a video appeal as his boat was approached.
"We are calling on the global community to exert pressure on your governments to call for our safe passage to Gaza," he said. In the event of arrest, he urged supporters to demand the immediate release of those detained.
Flotilla organisers also reported that before the attack, their convoy had faced "shadowy encounters" with unlit boats and suspected drone attacks near Malta and Crete. Some vessels were damaged and forced to withdraw earlier in the mission.
Climate change activist Greta Thunberg was seen sitting on a deck surrounded by soldiers in a video from the Israeli foreign ministry.
The Swedish national is the most prominent of the pro-Palestinian flotilla's passengers, which also includes US activist Leila Hegazy, French-Swedish politician and environmental activist Emma Fourreau, French MEP Rima Hassan, and US labour union leader Christian Smalls.
Despite the risks, the flotilla pressed on, supported by international solidarity networks and monitored by naval vessels from Spain and Italy as it sailed across the Mediterranean.
Italy says Israel promised 'no violence'
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said late on Wednesday that he had received assurances from his Israeli counterpart that activists would not face violence during the boarding.
"The boarding was planned, we are talking about it with Minister Saar so that there would be no violent actions on the part of the Tel Aviv armed forces, and this has been assured to me," Tajani told Italian broadcaster Rai.
He added that Italian diplomatic missions were instructed to assist citizens expected to be taken to Ashdod before their expulsion.
Israel's record of stopping flotillas
Attempts to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza date back more than a decade.
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2010 - Mavi Marmara raid: Israeli commandos stormed the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara, part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, killing 10 activists. The incident drew global condemnation, severely strained Israel-Turkiye ties, and led to ongoing legal cases against Israeli officers.
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2011-2018 - Subsequent flotillas: Smaller missions were repeatedly intercepted. Israel typically diverted vessels to Ashdod, detained passengers, and confiscated supplies. In 2018, activists reported being tasered and beaten during arrests.
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2024 - Renewed attempts: Activist ships set sail but were intercepted early. The 'Madleen' was seized in international waters, with activists deported after detention in Israel.
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2025 - Global Sumud Flotilla: Launched in late August with over 50 vessels, it is the largest mission of its kind since 2010.
Israel formally imposed its naval blockade on the Gaza Strip in 2009 but has de facto restricted sea access to Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007.
Rights groups and international legal experts say Israel's land and sea blockade and siege amounts to collective punishment, trapping over two million Palestinians in dire conditions.
As of Wednesday night, flotilla organisers said 30 boats were still attempting to evade Israeli naval patrols and reach Gaza, while international outrage continued to mount.