The Israeli Foreign Ministry late on Tuesday said that the latest international flotilla bound for Gaza to deliver aid "has come to an end" and 430 activists on board its vessels were being taken to Israel.
"Another PR flotilla has come to an end. All 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are making their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet with their consular representatives," the ministry said on social media platform X.
"This flotilla has once again proved to be nothing more than a PR stunt at the service of Hamas. Israel will continue to act in full accordance with international law and will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza."
The stated aim of the "Gaza Sumud Flotilla," according to its organizers, is to "open a humanitarian corridor" and "break the illegal siege on Gaza."
Organizers said in a post on X that Israel "has again illegally and violently intercepted our international fleet of humanitarian vessels and abducted our volunteers as they undertake a legitimate mission to break the illegal siege on Gaza and open a humanitarian corridor."
"We are outraged by the normalization of these violations of international maritime law and the kidnapping of peaceful civilians in international waters," the post said. "We demand the immediate release of our participants, the safe passage of our entire fleet, and an end to the illegal siege of Gaza."
The Global Sumud Flotilla was founded last year by several international activist networks. "Sumud" means steadfastness in Arabic.
Israel has thwarted past attempts by activists to break the Israeli naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, which has been in place since 2007 and is also supported by Egypt. Activists have previously been deported back to their home countries after a period of time in Israeli custody.
