Israeli forces have intercepted 39 boats carrying aid and foreign activists, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg, to Gaza, leaving only one vessel still sailing towards the Palestinian enclave, the flotilla organisers said on Thursday.

Cameras broadcasting live feeds from the boats showed Israeli soldiers sporting helmets and night vision goggles boarding the ships, while passengers huddled together in life vests with their hands up.

A video from the Israeli foreign ministry showed Thunberg, the most prominent of the flotilla’s passengers, sitting on a deck surrounded by soldiers.

Passengers diverted to Israeli port

According to a tracker on the organiser, Global Sumud Flotilla’s website, one boat was still sailing.

“Several vessels of the Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,” the Israeli foreign ministry said on X.

The flotilla, which set sail in late August, was transporting medicine and food to Gaza and consisted of more than 40 civilian vessels with about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists.

It’s the highest-profile symbol of opposition to Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

The flotilla’s progress across the Mediterranean Sea garnered international attention as nations including Turkey, Spain and Italy sent boats or drones in case their nationals required assistance.

Turkey’s foreign ministry called Israel’s “attack” on the flotilla “an act of terror” that endangered the lives of innocent civilians.

The Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office said it had launched an investigation into the detention of 24 Turkish citizens on the vessels on charges including deprivation of liberty, seizure of transport vehicles and damage to property, Turkey’s state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel’s entire diplomatic delegation on Wednesday following the detention of two Colombians in the flotilla and terminated Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel.

In a statement, Hamas expressed support for the activists and called Israel’s interception of the flotilla a “criminal act”, calling for public protests to condemn Israel.

The boats were about 70 nautical miles off Gaza when they were intercepted, inside a zone that Israel is policing to stop any boats approaching.

The flotilla organisers said their communications, including the use of a live camera feed from some of the boats, had been scrambled.

Greece said it has been informed that 39 boats from the flotilla are sailing to the Israeli port of Ashdod, the Greek public broadcaster reported.

Detained activists expected at Ashdod Port

Activists detained by the Israeli navy were currently being transported to Israel’s Ashdod port, with their arrival expected around 09.00 GMT (noon local time).

However, the process may stretch throughout the day, as the activists are not being brought in all at once.

Meanwhile, Israeli naval forces are still actively pursuing other boats from the humanitarian flotilla that have yet to be intercepted.

Communication with the remaining vessels has been lost, likely due to Israeli signal jamming.

As of now, not all boats in the flotilla have been seized, and the situation remains fluid as the Israeli navy continues its interception efforts, Al Jazeera said in a report.

According to earlier reports, the Israeli navy surrounded the flotilla approximately 70 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza and launched its operation, during which commandos stormed several vessels, detaining activists and transferring them to an Israeli port.

According to flotilla organisers, all passengers aboard the ships Alma and Sirius were arrested by Israeli personnel.

The convoy included more than 500 activists from 46 countries around the world.

According to news agency Reuters, the flotilla organisers stated that as their ships approached Gaza’s maritime zone, two Israeli warships aggressively surrounded Alma and Sirius.

At that point, all navigation and communication systems were suddenly shut down, which organisers described as a “cyber attack”.

The Israeli ministry of foreign affairs released video footage of the incident and claimed that all detainees are safe.

The ministry stated that Israeli naval forces contacted the flotilla, instructing it to change course, warning that it was approaching an active war zone and violating a lawful maritime blockade.

Israeli forces warned, “If you do not stop, we will seize your vessels.” In response, organisers warned that such an action would constitute an international crime.

Flotilla organisers stated that Israel appeared determined to carry out its plan of unlawfully intercepting the convoy.

“It seems we will be stopped 50 miles from Gaza. The Zionists commit their evil acts under the cover of darkness,” one organiser said.

All communication with the flotilla has since been lost.

Earlier, French Member of the European Parliament Emma Fouréa shared a video on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “It is now certain that we are being kidnapped by Israel. Ten to twelve warships are advancing towards our flotilla.”

Flotilla organisers said that an emergency had been declared aboard the vessels before the operation.

Despite that, Israeli forces took control of the ships without resistance after issuing warnings.

Irish Senator Chris Andrews, also aboard the flotilla, issued a video statement on X, saying: “An attack by Israeli forces is expected. I call on the Irish government and the European Union to intervene.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla is a large international humanitarian mission aiming to deliver aid to Gaza’s besieged population.

The ships were carrying food, medicine, and other essential supplies to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Pakistan is also represented in the convoy. Former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan is aboard one of the vessels.

In a video message, he stated, “We stand with international law. What Israel is doing is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.”

The flotilla organisers said that if not stopped, the convoy would reach Gaza by Thursday morning.

Organisers further stated that Israel’s provocative actions have endangered the lives of unarmed civilians from over 40 countries. Nevertheless, they vowed to continue their mission toward Gaza.

In another video statement, Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan warned of a possible Israeli assault.

“My mobile has already been jammed by Israel, so I am throwing this phone into the sea,” he said.

He added that Israeli warships were now visible in the distance, raising the likelihood of an imminent attack.

“We have put on our safety vests in light of the emergency, but we will not stop.”

According to Reuters, Francesca Albanese, the UN’s top expert on Palestinian rights, stated that if Israel blocks the flotilla, it would be a “clear violation of international and maritime law,” as Israel has no legal authority over Gaza’s coastal waters.

It is worth noting that in 2010, Israeli forces attacked another Gaza-bound flotilla, killing nine activists.

Reuters also reports that Italy and Spain have deployed naval ships in the area for possible humanitarian assistance or rescue, but have made clear they will not participate in any military action.

Meanwhile, Turkish drones are monitoring the flotilla’s movement. Italy and Spain have stated that they will support the convoy only until it comes within 150 nautical miles of the Gaza coast.

On Wednesday, Italy and Greece jointly urged Israel not to harm any activists aboard the ships.

They also asked the flotilla to consider delivering the aid through the Catholic Church. However, the flotilla organisers have rejected this proposal.