The organisers of an aid flotilla bound ​for Gaza said on ‌Tuesday (May 19, 2026) that Israeli forces had intercepted 41 ​of their boats ⁠in the eastern Mediterranean, with 10 vessels still sailing toward the ‌enclave.

The closest vessel to Gaza, Sirius, was 145 ‌nautical miles away, the ‌group ⁠said.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry had ⁠said on X on Monday (May 18, 2026) that it “will not allow any breach ​of the ‌lawful naval blockade on Gaza”.

Speaking in Ankara late on Monday (May 18, 2026), Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemned the ‌intervention against the “voyagers of hope” ​in the flotilla and called on the ⁠international community to act against Israel’s actions.

Ships from the Global ‌Sumud Flotilla had set sail for a third time on Thursday (May 14, 2026) from southern Turkey, after earlier attempts to deliver aid to Gaza were ‌intercepted by Israel in international waters.

The ​group said there were 426 people taking part ⁠in the 54-vessel flotilla from 39 ⁠countries.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has called on “all participants in this ‌provocation to change course and turn back immediately”.