Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intercepted and turned back a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying more than 20 boats and about 175 activists, praising the navy for preventing the vessels from reaching Gaza. In a post on X, he said no ship had entered Israeli territorial waters and mocked the activists, saying they would 'continue to see Gaza on YouTube.' Detainees were reportedly being transported to Greece.

The flotilla, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla, had set sail from Barcelona earlier this month and was expected to include dozens of boats and hundreds of participants. Activists alleged that Israeli forces boarded the vessels in international waters, damaged equipment, and detained people on board. Organizers described the interception as an abduction of civilians and a dangerous escalation.

The operation drew mixed international reactions. The United States government backed Israel, calling the flotilla a counterproductive stunt and urging consequences for participants. Spain's prime minister accused Israel of violating international law, while Iran condemned the interception as piracy and called for global pressure to secure the activists' release.

The incident comes amid a fragile six-month ceasefire in Gaza that has reduced but not ended violence. Gaza's health ministry reports that hundreds have been killed since the truce began, with tens of thousands killed since the war started following the October 7 attacks.