Israeli naval forces have intercepted a flotilla of pro-Palestinian activist boats attempting to breach the naval blockade of Gaza. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. local time, approximately 70 to 80 nautical miles west of Gaza. Activists reported that Israeli naval vessels approached their convoy of 49 boats before troops began boarding them.

The first vessel to be boarded was carrying Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. In a video released by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a junior naval officer can be seen communicating with the flotilla via radio. The officer instructed the vessels to change course toward Ashdod port instead of continuing to Gaza.

Israel offered to transfer the symbolic aid shipments from the flotilla to Gaza. However, the activists responded by asserting that Israel's naval blockade is illegal and insisted on proceeding to Gaza. Reports from the activists indicated that Israeli naval vessels used bright lights and sprayed water on their decks before sending boarding parties.

Following the interception, the activists are expected to be detained and taken to Ashdod. There, they will be asked to sign deportation orders and may be flown out of the country. Those who refuse to sign will likely face a tribunal in Israel before being deported.

The flotilla was carrying small amounts of aid, with the stated goal of breaking Israel's blockade and drawing attention to the situation of Palestinians. Israel defends its blockade as legal and claims that the activist organizations have connections to Hamas, which the activists strongly deny.