Israeli naval forces intercepted a large Gaza-bound activist flotilla Wednesday night in the eastern Mediterranean, stopping dozens of vessels seeking to challenge Israel’s maritime blockade of the Hamas-controlled Strip.

The convoy, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla, (GSF) consisted of more than 50 boats carrying around 1,000 participants, including around 15 from Australia. Online tracking data showed the vessels west of the Greek island of Crete when Israeli forces moved to stop them — far earlier and further from Gaza than in previous flotilla confrontations.

Global Sumud Flotilla after interception (photo: screengrab – Facebook)

Recordings released by participants captured repeated warnings from the Israeli Navy ordering the flotilla to abandon its course towards Gaza.

“This is the Israeli Navy,” an officer announced over radio communications in a video uploaded to social media by GSF. “Attempts to violate the legal maritime security blockade on the Gaza Strip constitute a violation of international law.”

The officer told activists they could transfer humanitarian supplies through Israeli-controlled channels instead.

“If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, you may do so through established and recognized channels,” the message said. “You are welcome to continue to the port of Ashdod, where the aid will undergo security screening and then be transferred to the Gaza Strip.”

The warning added that any continued attempt to reach Gaza directly would force the military to intervene.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the intercept with a social media post showing footage of items recovered from one of the vessels, including packages of condoms and a bag containing what appeared to be white powder.

“This is the ‘medical aid’ found aboard the PR stunt flotilla: condoms and drugs,” the ministry tweeted.

This is the “medical aid” found aboard the PR stunt flotilla: condoms and drugs pic.twitter.com/RKiHrGLWfw

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 29, 2026

The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately comment.

Earlier Wednesday, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced sanctions targeting a crowdfunding campaign connected to the flotilla. Katz alleged the operation was linked to Hamas and accused organisers of using humanitarian claims as cover.

“The imposition of sanctions on the crowdfunding campaign constitutes a significant step in the effort to disrupt the flotilla’s sources of funding,” Katz said.

Under Israeli law, authorities can seize assets connected to designated terror organisations or activities deemed supportive of terrorism.

Documents found in Gaza and released in September by Israel’s Foreign Ministry traced direct Hamas involvement in organizing and financing the Sumud flotilla to break the Israeli blockade of the Strip.

Dvora-class fast patrol boat of the Israeli Navy in the water of the Mediterranean Sea in northern Israel. Haifa, Apr 2, 2020. (Photo: Kobi Richter/TPS)

Also on Wednesday, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said that more than 1.5 million tons of food has entered the Strip since October 10, 2025, when a ceasefire with Hamas took effect.

The “Sumud flotilla” has drawn ridicule in some quarters, driven largely by a gap between its sweeping claims and its apparent scale and impact. Critics have pointed to the branding of the mission as a major humanitarian effort, while arguing that flotillas of this kind rarely reach Gaza or deliver significant aid, instead functioning as symbolic protest.

Social media has sharpened that reaction, with clips of participants documenting the journey or appearing underprepared quickly turned into material for sarcasm. For example, organisers were still promoting the need for more captains up until after the flotilla left Europe.

Israel and Egypt have maintained restrictions on Gaza to prevent weapons smuggling since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007. Since then, Palestinian activists have periodically launched flotillas to challenge the blockade. In 2011, an independent UN inquiry into the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident criticised Israeli forces for using excessive force but upheld the blockade’s legality.