Israel says 430 Gaza flotilla activists being transferred to Israel
A Greek Coast Guard vessel transfers activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted on international waters by the Israeli Navy, at the port of Atherinolakkos, on the island of Crete, Greece, May 1, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS
Israeli authorities said that 430 activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla were en route to Israel after their vessels were intercepted at sea.
Sailing from Turkey last week, the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels are the latest in a string of attempts by activists to breach Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory, with the last convoy intercepted by Israeli forces last month.
"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," a spokesman from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late Tuesday.
"This flotilla has once again proved to be nothing more than a PR stunt at the service of Hamas," the spokesman added.
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.
This flotilla has once again proved to be nothing more than a PR stunt at…Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier denounced the flotilla as "a malicious scheme designed to break the blockade we have imposed on Hamas in Gaza".
The United States on Tuesday sanctioned four people associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla and accused them of being "pro-terrorist".
Read: Israeli forces fired shots at Gaza aid flotilla vessels, video shows
Pakistan joined nine other nations in a joint condemnation of Israel's interception of the Gaza-bound flotilla, with the statement shared by the Foreign Office on X.
The foreign ministers of Turkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, the Maldives and Spain co-signed the declaration, which described the Global Sumud Flotilla as a peaceful civilian humanitarian mission seeking to highlight the dire conditions facing Palestinians, and called Israel's assault on it wholly unacceptable.
🔊PR No.1️⃣2️⃣0️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, and Spain Regarding the Israeli Assaults on the Global Sumud Flotilla, 18th May 2026 pic.twitter.com/TS99F2w31nAround 50 ships had departed from southwestern Turkey on Thursday.
A website tracking the flotilla's location later showed several vessels being intercepted west of Cyprus. Nine Indonesian citizens who were part of the flotilla "have all been reported arrested by Israel," a spokeswoman for Indonesia's foreign ministry said, citing information dated Wednesday.
Indonesia called on Israel to immediately release all vessels and crew members, adding that "every diplomatic channel and consular measure will continue to be fully utilised".
Read More: Pakistan, nine countries condemn Israeli attack on Gaza-bound flotilla
Indonesian newspaper Republika earlier said two of its journalists were among the nine Indonesians detained.
Turkey and Spain have condemned the interception.
Organisers said the flotilla also included 15 Irish citizens, including Margaret Connolly, the sister of President Catherine Connolly.
Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
During Israel's intensified attack on Gaza since October 2023, the territory has suffered severe shortages of food, medicine and other essential supplies, with Israel at times halting aid deliveries entirely.
A previous flotilla attempt was intercepted last month in international waters off Greece, with most activists expelled to Europe.