A Finnish activist was among dozens of crew members detained after Israeli forces illegally intercepted vessels from the Global Sumud flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea, organisers said on Sunday.
The flotilla had departed from Turkey four days earlier with the stated aim of delivering humanitarian supplies to Gaza and challenging the Israeli blockade of the territory.
Organisers said Israeli forces stopped several boats around 250 nautical miles from Gaza.
According to the group, 16 vessels had been intercepted by Sunday afternoon and crew members taken into custody.
The flotilla originally consisted of 52 vessels carrying activists from several countries.
Among those detained was a Finnish nurse and environmental activist identified only as Tero. Organisers said another Finnish participant, a teacher and mother identified as Ämäl, remained aboard one of the vessels still at sea.
The activist network accused Israel of blocking humanitarian aid shipments that included bottled water, medical supplies, school backpacks and canned food.
Live video streams from the flotilla showed activists broadcasting the interceptions and issuing distress calls from the boats.
The intercepted vessels named by organisers included Cactus, Holy Blue, Amanda, Bianca ITA and Themis.
Organisers said participants had prepared for possible intervention before the ships departed from Turkey. Activists on board remained unarmed during the operation, according to the statement.
Support groups in Finland announced an emergency demonstration outside the Finnish Parliament building in Helsinki on Sunday at 6 PM.
HT