Leading up to the reports of Israeli boarding, the activist ships were allegedly approached by Israeli fast boats "pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons."
Over twenty ships and around 175 activists part of a Gaza-bound flotilla were intercepted by the Israeli Navy on Wednesday night, according to statements made by the Foreign Ministry and the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The Foreign Ministry said on X/Twitter on Thursday that the vessels and activists were en route to Israel on Israeli ships.
During the interception of the 56-strong activist fleet, GSF said that the engines and navigation systems of some of the remaining vessels were allegedly damaged. This was allegedly an attempt to disable their vessels, which were left stranded in the path of a storm.
Leading up to the reports of Israeli boarding, the activist ships were allegedly approached by Israeli fast boats "pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons."
Israel says driving force behind flotilla is Hamas
Greenpeace said on social media that the flotilla was contacted by those identifying as the Israeli Navy, demanding that they change course. Their communications were then allegedly jammed.
According to Marinetraffic.com, Greenpeace's Arctic Sunrise, which is supposed to be part of the fleet, was located west of Crete by the time of the alleged raid.
The report comes on the same day that Defense Minister Israel Katz noted that a provision of the Counterterrorism Law authorizes the seizure of ships and other property intended for use in terror activity.
The Global Sumud Flotilla "violates UN Resolution 2803, which stipulated that aid to Gaza should enter through accepted official channels," Katz said.
The Foreign Ministry said on X on Wednesday night that the driving force behind the "flotilla provocation" was Hamas, with the aim of sabotaging US President Donald Trump's peace plans for Gaza.
"Like previous provocations, this is nothing but a PR stunt: a provocation without humanitarian aid," said the Ministry. "As international media have exposed, these are professional provocateurs on pleasure cruises, addicted to self-promotion."
Fifty-six vessels had embarked from Italy on Sunday, on a voyage to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
"The flotilla departs with a clear set of objectives: to challenge Israel's illegal blockade, advance the opening of a permanent humanitarian corridor, and intensify coordinated international pressure on governments and corporations complicit in its enforcement," GSF said on Monday.
James Genn contributed to this report.
