The flotilla had sailed from Turkey last week as part of an effort to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza Strip.
A spokesperson for Israel’s foreign ministry said all activists had been transferred to Israeli vessels and would be able to meet their consular representatives after arriving in Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the flotilla as “a malicious scheme designed to break the blockade we have imposed on Hamas in Gaza”.
The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on four individuals associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla, accusing them of being “pro-terrorist”.
Pakistan joined nine other countries in condemning Israel’s interception of the flotilla. The joint statement, shared by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, was also signed by the foreign ministers of Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives and Spain.
The statement described the flotilla as a peaceful humanitarian mission intended to highlight worsening conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza and called Israel’s actions unacceptable.
According to organisers, around 50 ships departed from southwestern Turkey on Thursday. A tracking website later showed several vessels being intercepted west of Cyprus.
Indonesia confirmed that nine of its citizens participating in the flotilla had been detained by Israel. Jakarta called for the immediate release of all ships and crew members and said it would continue using diplomatic and consular channels.
Indonesian newspaper Republika reported that two of its journalists were among those detained.
Turkey and Spain also condemned the interception.
Organisers said the flotilla included 15 Irish citizens, among them Margaret Connolly, the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.
Israel has controlled access to Gaza since imposing a blockade on the territory in 2007.
Since the start of Israel’s intensified military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, the enclave has faced severe shortages of food, medicine and humanitarian supplies, with aid deliveries periodically halted.
A previous flotilla attempt was intercepted last month in international waters near Greece, after which most activists were deported to Europe.
