Israeli forces seized 15 of the flotilla's 58 vessels overnight, organizers said, with more than 1,000 volunteers aboard the humanitarian aid convoy that had departed Barcelona on April 12.
Among those detained was Polish researcher Dr. Magdalena Górska, an assistant professor at Utrecht University, according to Global Sumud Polska spokesman Rafał Piotrowski.
Organizers said Israeli forces jammed the flotilla's radio channels, including the civilian emergency frequency, before military speedboats approached the vessels.
"Lasers and semi-automatic weapons were aimed at us. Flotilla participants were ordered to move to the bow of the boats and kneel", the organization said in a statement.
In a recording published by organizers, an Israeli naval officer urged activists to stand down. "If you want to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you can do so through established and well-known channels. Please change course and return to your home port. If you are carrying humanitarian aid, please proceed to the port of Ashdod", the officer said.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon thanked Israeli Defense Forces soldiers and described the flotilla volunteers as "delusional provocateurs seeking attention".
Poland's Foreign Ministry said its crisis management team convened immediately upon learning of the potential threat to Polish citizens and that consular services had contacted relatives of those aboard.
"The use of force in international waters constitutes a serious violation of international law, including the law of the sea. We call on all parties to comply with applicable law", the ministry said, demanding urgent clarification of the circumstances of the Israeli military operation.
MEP Krzysztof Śmiszek called on Poland's foreign minister to intervene urgently "in defense of our citizen".
This is the second flotilla operation this month. A separate convoy of 65 vessels departed Sicily on Sunday. A previous flotilla carrying nearly 500 people from 40 countries, including Poland, set out for Gaza in September 2025 and was intercepted by the Israeli navy in October, with activists subsequently detained, transported to Israel, and deported.
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Source: PAP, Polish Radio