At least 31 activists were injured after Israeli forces forcibly intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, organisers said, in an incident that has drawn international concern. The confrontation took place in early May 2026 as the vessel attempted to deliver humanitarian supplies to the besieged enclave.
Activists said Israeli naval forces boarded the ship and used force against those on board, leaving dozens wounded. The flotilla, part of the Global Sumud initiative, was carrying aid for civilians in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain critical.
Organisers and rights groups condemned the interception, arguing that attacking a civilian aid mission worsens an already severe humanitarian crisis. Israel has previously defended such actions as necessary to enforce its blockade on Gaza, citing security concerns. The incident adds to growing scrutiny over restrictions on aid access, with increasing calls for the protection of humanitarian missions and accountability for the use of force.
