ISLAMABAD: The Israeli navy intercepted the Freedom Flotilla Coalition convoy bound for Gaza, forcibly boarding and seizing nine boats early Wednesday in the Mediterranean Sea, according to reports from international media and flotilla organizers.

As reported by Anadolu Agency, a state-run news outlet based in Türkiye, the interception occurred approximately 120 nautical miles off the Gaza coast, where Israeli troops boarded several of the aid ships.

The ambush took place while the coalition was en route to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Flotilla organizers stated on social media that Israeli forces boarded the vessels and cut off live transmissions from the ships, adding that communication with most boats was lost shortly after the raid began.

In a statement, the Israeli foreign ministry confirmed that all flotilla vessels had been intercepted and escorted to an Israeli port. Officials claimed that the 145 activists taking part in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza, were safe and would be sent back to their home countries in the coming days.

The activists on board the nine-vessel group included doctors, politicians, lawmakers from Turkey and Denmark.

Turkey's foreign ministry said the intervention against the Freedom Flotilla, including Turkish nationals and lawmakers, showed that the "genocidal" Israeli government targeted all peaceful measures and heightened tensions in the region while damaging peace efforts.

It added in its statement that all initiatives were being taken for Turkish citizens held by Israel to be freed and returned to Turkey, and that it was coordinating with other countries regarding their citizens too.

The operation comes just days after Israeli authorities stopped the Global Sumud Flotilla, detaining more than 500 activists headed to Gaza.

Most of those detained have since been released, including former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmed.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has repeatedly attempted to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza, which it describes as an unlawful restriction on humanitarian access.

The latest seizure is expected to intensify international criticism of Israel’s enforcement of the Gaza blockade.

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Israel ambushes yet another aid flotilla en route to Gaza