Israel and Turkey clash over Gaza aid flotilla interception

Published May 18, 2026 7:59am ET | Updated May 18, 2026 8:04am ET



Turkey decried Israel over its interception of a flotilla bound for Gaza in violation of its naval blockade, labeling it a “new act of piracy.”

Israeli naval forces intercepted 36 of the 54 vessels headed for Gaza off the coast of Cyprus as of Monday, according to the Global Sumud Flotilla’s website, roughly 250 miles from their intended destination. The interceptions happened largely without incident, and the activists were transferred to an Israeli landing craft. The ships took off from the Turkish port of Marmaris, and appear to have been tacitly supported by the Turkish government.

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