Nearly 500 activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish Senator Chris Andrews, have been detained by Israeli forces following an interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a voyage of multiple boats conveying medicine and food to the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday confirmed the stoppage, stating that the voyage, which aimed at breaking through Israel’s naval blockade into Gaza, stirred ‘provocation’.

“Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health,” Israel’s foreign ministry tweeted.

“The sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation. Israel, Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have all offered and continue to offer the flotilla a way to peacefully deliver any aid they might have to Gaza. The flotilla refused because they are not interested in aid, but in provocation,” the ministry added.

Confirming the safety of all crew members, the ministry stated that several vessels “were safely stopped and passengers transferred to an Israeli port”.

Earlier, crew members of the Global Sumud Flotilla posted on Facebook that they had detected more than 20 unidentified vessels on their radar, approximately three nautical miles ahead of their fleet.

“Cameras are offline, and vessels have been boarded by military personnel. We are actively working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board,” the group stated. “This may signal a potential naval blockade. But let it be clear: we will not be intimidated by threats, harassment, or efforts to protect Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza.”

Demanding the release of all the arrested activists on the voyage, the group said, “An attack on the Flotilla is an attack on Gaza and global solidarity. With interception, the zionist regime shows the length of its efforts to starve Gaza. An attack on the Flotilla is an attack on humanity.”

Kieran Andrieu, a British-Palestinian political economist on one of the boats, said the effort, despite intimidation, is not at its end.

“We are carrying baby formula, food, and medicine for the starving Palestinian people in Gaza. Our mission is entirely peaceful and entirely legal,” Mr Andrieu said. “It doesn’t end here. Our flotilla was the 38th attempt to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, and there will be more. Israel thinks it can bully the whole world into getting its way.”

Earlier, Ms Thunberg said the peaceful humanitarian mission will not be a one-off attempt, noting that the initiative is currently on its 38th attempt.

Reacting to the development, British politician Jeremy Corbyn said the stoppage will only inspire more people to join what he described as a ‘global movement for peace’.