Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla say Israeli naval forces have intercepted several vessels taking part in a humanitarian mission attempting to challenge the blockade on Gaza, while communication has reportedly been lost with a number of other boats in international waters.

Rana Hamida, a spokesperson for the flotilla, said activists onboard five vessels had been detained after Israeli forces surrounded parts of the convoy on Monday. She added that contact had also been cut with several additional boats after what organisers described as deliberate signal disruption and interference with radio communications.

According to the flotilla’s organisers, the vessels were sailing in international waters and were not approaching Israeli territorial zones at the time of the interceptions. Hamida said four large Israeli naval ships had been seen surrounding the convoy, while smaller fast boats continued pursuing other vessels involved in the mission.

The flotilla, which reportedly includes around 500 activists and supporters across more than 50 boats, says it is carrying out a peaceful campaign aimed at challenging the blockade imposed on Gaza during Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on the territory.

Hamida said participants had received training focused on maintaining a non-violent approach despite what she described as escalating military pressure at sea. She also accused Israeli authorities of spreading misleading claims portraying civilians onboard as a security threat, saying such narratives were being used to justify action against unarmed activists.

Israeli authorities had not immediately commented on the claims at the time of publication.