Israel's navy is preparing to intercept a Turkish flotilla heading toward Gaza as diplomats scramble behind the scenes to prevent a potential armed clash, the Jerusalem Post reported Monday.
Some 20 vessels are preparing to depart from Turkey, organized by the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation — the same group behind the 2010 Mavi Marmara initiative, in which Israeli special forces raided a Gaza-bound flotilla, killing nine Turkish activists. Turkey severed diplomatic ties with Israel following that incident; relations were only restored in June 2016, after Israel agreed to pay compensation to victims' families.
Israeli Defense Forces representatives said Israel is using diplomatic channels to prevent the flotilla from sailing. The proximity of Turkish territorial waters significantly increases the risk of confrontation, the Jerusalem Post noted.
The flotilla's organizers say their goal is to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and symbolically break Israel's naval blockade, which Israel maintains is lawful — a claim disputed under international law.
The announcement comes days after Israeli forces intercepted a pro-Palestinian flotilla west of Crete, seizing around 20 of roughly 100 vessels and deporting 175 activists. A similar convoy organized by the Global Sumud Flotilla in autumn 2025, carrying nearly 500 people, was also stopped by the Israeli navy, with activists detained and subsequently deported.
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Source: PAP