Naval forces seized control of 21 vessels overnight out of a total of 58 participating in the flotilla.
By United with Israel Staff
Israeli naval forces took control of a large flotilla bound for Gaza on Wednesday night, intercepting vessels hundreds of kilometers from Israel’s coast in one of the farthest such operations to date, officials said.
A senior Israeli source confirmed the navy initiated the operation in international waters near Crete, marking the most distant interception carried out since the start of the war.
Organizers of the flotilla, which reportedly included dozens of vessels and hundreds of activists, said multiple Israeli military boats approached at high speed, identified themselves, and ordered participants to move to the front of the ships and raise their hands.
“They pointed lasers and weapons at us,” organizers said in a statement, adding that communications systems aboard the vessels were disrupted.
An audio recording from the scene appeared to capture Israeli naval personnel issuing instructions over the radio: “This is the Israeli Navy. If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, do so through the established channels.”
Israeli officials said the operation was launched at an unusually early stage, more than 1,000 kilometers from Israel’s coastline, in part due to the flotilla’s size and to allow additional time for further action if needed.
According to Israeli sources, naval forces seized control of 21 vessels overnight out of a total of 58 participating in the flotilla. The takeover was completed within hours before dawn and ended without reported violence, resistance, or casualties.
Approximately 180 activists aboard the intercepted vessels were detained and are being transported to Israel, officials said.
The incident marked the third such interception since the start of the war and the most distant carried out so far.