TEL AVIV, May 19, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces detained hundreds of activists participating in the “Global Freedom Flotilla” after intercepting dozens of ships in international waters as they sailed from the Turkish coast to the Gaza Strip in an attempt to break the blockade imposed on it.

The occupation forces began an operation to seize the “Global Freedom Flotilla” off the coast of Cyprus, hundreds of kilometers away, resulting in the arrest of dozens of participants.

Israeli media reported that the activists were transferred to an Israeli naval vessel equipped with a floating prison and then taken to the port of Ashdod.

Abdul Rahman al-Kahlout, a member of the Freedom Flotilla team, said that the Israeli occupation forces arrested 345 activists from 39 ships participating in the flotilla, while nine other ships are still continuing their journey towards the Gaza Strip.

Sources confirm that despite a ceasefire declared in October 2025, Israel has continued to limit humanitarian aid access while conducting daily strikes, actions that have reportedly killed 877 Palestinians and wounded 2,602 others.

K.T