The Israeli naval forces began intercepting ships belonging to the global Sumud flotilla in international waters, while they were sailing towards the Gaza Strip with the aim of breaking the long-standing blockade of that area.
Activists from the ships stated that warships and frigates approached them, while at the same time they had difficulties in communication. They also noticed drones flying over while sailing through the Mediterranean Sea towards Gaza.
The flotilla announced on social media that it had been attacked, noting that some vessels were already isolated and faced with disconnection.
Israeli military sources have confirmed that the navy has begun to take control of ships heading towards Gaza, at a great distance from the Israeli coast. According to available information, several vessels have already been seized near Crete.
The operation is considered one of the most extensive such actions to date, as Israeli forces operated hundreds of kilometers from their own territory.
The flotilla, made up of dozens of ships and hundreds of activists from several countries, carries humanitarian aid and aims to open a sea corridor to Gaza. However, the Israeli authorities are determined to prevent any attempt to break through the blockade.
Israel has been imposing a blockade on Gaza since 2007, and the protracted conflicts have left a large part of the population homeless. It is estimated that about 1.5 million people were affected, out of a total population of approximately 2.4 million in the area.
