Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. File
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The organisers of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza said on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) that Israeli forces had intercepted 41 of their boats in the eastern Mediterranean, with 10 vessels still sailing toward the enclave.
The closest vessel to Gaza, Sirius, was 145 nautical miles away, the group said.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry had said on X on Monday (May 18, 2026) that it “will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza”.
Speaking in Ankara late on Monday (May 18, 2026), Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemned the intervention against the “voyagers of hope” in the flotilla and called on the international community to act against Israel’s actions.
Ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla had set sail for a third time on Thursday (May 14, 2026) from southern Turkey, after earlier attempts to deliver aid to Gaza were intercepted by Israel in international waters.
The group said there were 426 people taking part in the 54-vessel flotilla from 39 countries.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has called on “all participants in this provocation to change course and turn back immediately”.
Published – May 19, 2026 03:29 pm IST
