Israeli troops intercept vessels from a flotilla trying to breach the blockade of Gaza
Israeli military intercepted a flotilla attempting to breach the blockade of Gaza, involving over 50 vessels. The operation took place off the coast of Cyprus, with activists on board raising their hands and donning life jackets as Israeli troops approached. Critics have condemned the blockade as collective punishment, while Israel's Prime Minister praised the operation as a means to thwart Hamas.
- ▪More than 50 vessels departed from Turkiye as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla's attempt to reach Gaza.
- ▪At least 17 boats were intercepted by Israeli forces within the first three hours of the operation.
- ▪Israel has maintained a blockade over Gaza since 2007, which restricts the movement of goods and people.
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The Israeli military intercepted on Monday (May 18, 2026) boats off the coast of Cyprus, part of the latest wave of flotilla activists attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.More than 50 vessels departed from the port in Marmaris, Turkiye, last week in what the organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla described as the final leg of their planned journey to Gaza’s shores.The organisation’s livestream on Monday (May 18, 2026) showed activists aboard several vessels putting on life jackets and raising their hands before a boat carrying Israeli troops approached. Wearing tactical gear, they boarded the ship, and the livestream abruptly ended.
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