Israel intercepts Gaza aid Flotilla with activists, Greta Thunberg onboard

Israeli military forces have intercepted an international flotilla of ships carrying food and medicine to Gaza. The vessels, part of the Global Sumat Flotilla, were boarded in what a statement from the group called an illegal interception in international waters. Onboard were approximately 500 activists, parliamentarians, and lawyers, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, who were attempting to break Israel's sea blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007. Israel maintains the blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas and states that it provides sufficient aid through official channels. The flotilla released a statement saying, "multiple vessels were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli occupation forces in international waters." The activists have been taken to an Israeli port.