Israel says latest Gaza-bound flotilla has ‘come to an end,’ 430 activists being transferred to Israel

The Foreign Ministry says the latest activist flotilla aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza has “come to an end,” and more than 400 activists are being taken to Israel.

Israeli commandos have intercepted all of the more than 50 boats in the flotilla. A live feed on the Global Sumud Flotilla’s website shows IDF soldiers boarding the vessels as activists in life vests put their hands up. Soldiers then destroy cameras mounted on the vessels.

“Another PR flotilla has come to an end,” the Foreign Ministry writes in a post on X. “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. 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.”

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani calls for an urgent review of Israel’s use of force after Italian activists said soldiers fired rubber bullets at vessels, which was also reported by Hebrew media. Flotilla organizers claim Israeli soldiers fired on five boats during the interdictions, with some damage.

“At no point was live ammunition fired,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement earlier on Tuesday. “Following multiple warnings, non-lethal means were employed toward the vessel – not toward protesters – as a warning.”

The IDF had begun stopping the flotilla around 167 miles (268 kilometers) from the Gaza coastline, according to the flotilla’s website. The vessels departed last week from Turkey.

The flotilla urges governments and world leaders to demand the activists’ “immediate and unconditional release” and to ensure they get legal and consular help without delay.