The Global Sumud Flotilla reported that the Israeli military had intercepted at least 13 of its vessels as they moved toward Gaza in international waters.
According to the organisers, more than 201 people from 37 countries were on board those boats, including groups of participants from Spain, Italy, Turkiye, and Malaysia.
Flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek said that around 30 other vessels were still trying to avoid Israeli forces and were pushing ahead in an effort to reach Gaza.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg was held by Israeli soldiers on Wednesday after the IDF boarded three boats carrying foreign activists from the Gaza aid flotilla and diverted them to an Israeli port, according to The Guardian.
This disrupted one of the most visible protests against Israel's blockade of Gaza. Thunberg was seen seated on a deck surrounded by soldiers in a video released by the Israeli foreign ministry, which has now been verified by news agency Reuters.
“Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,” the Israeli foreign ministry said in a post on X. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which is transporting food and medicine to Gaza, includes over 40 civilian vessels carrying over 500 parliamentarians, attorneys, and activists, the Indian Express reported.
According to the flotilla's own ship tracking data, up to 13 boats have been intercepted as of early Thursday, Al Jazeera reported.
A defiant group of organisers published a statement stating that the flotilla "will continue undeterred".
The interception has triggered protests in several major cities across the world, with demonstrations held in Ankara, Mexico City, Bogotá, Buenos Aires and Madrid.