The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) says the Israeli military attacked its convoy of boats and intercepted several vessels as they were sailing towards Gaza.
The FFC said the military had attacked The Conscience – a boat carrying 93 journalists, doctors and activists – before it attacked and intercepted three smaller boats on Wednesday.
Its passengers were “being held in unknown conditions”, it said.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on X that a raid on the flotilla had taken place.
“Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing,” the ministry said.
“The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly,” it added.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he strongly condemned the Israeli action and demanded that Malaysian activists taking part in the flotilla mission be released.
Irish, French and Danish activists, among other nationals, are also reportedly on board the flotilla.
The FFC, an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups that organises civilian maritime missions, said the boats were carrying “vital aid” worth more than $110,000 in medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies destined for Gaza’s starving hospitals.
“The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters,” the organisation said on Instagram. “Our flotilla poses no harm.”
It was the second such incident in recent days, after Israel intercepted about 40 vessels, abducted and detained more than 450 activists in another aid convoy, the Global Sumud Flotilla, that was also attempting to deliver supplies to Gaza. Israel has since deported most of those activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
Several activists from that flotilla have alleged physical and psychological abuse while in Israeli custody. Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament, said she was “beaten” by Israeli police after the flotilla was intercepted. American activist David Adler described being “stripped”, “zip-tied”, and “blindfolded” before his detention, as well as being forced to be photographed with Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
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