Among the roughly 200 activists from dozens of countries on the intercepted boats was Greta Thunberg, who the Israeli Ministry confirmed was detained, posting video online of her with Israeli forces.
"Greta and her friends are safe and healthy," it said on X.
The flotilla also confirmed her detainment, publishing a picture of her being offered bread by a member of the Israeli military.
"Indeed, if they were so kind, they would have let the #GlobalSumudFlotilla sail safely to #Gaza," it said.
The Global Sumud Flotilla departed Barcelona, Spain, earlier this month and joined up with other vessels in Tunis, Tunisia, for a total of some 50 boats heading to Gaza with the mission of breaking "Israel's illegal siege of Gaza," and to bring aid to the famine-stricken Palestinian enclave while simultaneously demonstrating against Israel's "collective punishment of a civilian population."
Flotilla spokesman Saif Abukeshek said in post on Instagram that about 30 of its ships remain free and are "fighting their way" from Israeli military vessels in the Mediterranean Sea.
"They are determined, they are motivated and they are doing everything" to reach Gaza's shores by Thursday morning, he said.
Israel's foreign ministry has attempted to frame the flotilla's goal as "provocation," claiming Israel and other countries have offered it a way to deliver aid to Gaza.
"Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade," it said on X.
"Israel reiterated the offer to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza."
As the flotilla approached the high-risk zone of the Mediterranean, Amnesty International said nation states have a responsibility to guarantee the convoy's safe passage. It called the flotilla "the largest initiative of its kind" and was bringing needed food, medicine and humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian enclave.
"The persistent inaction of states in the face of Israel's genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has forced activists from across the world to take peaceful measures to break the siege," it said in a statement.
Nations "must step up pressure to protect the flotilla and demand an end of Israel's genocide, and of its unlawful blockade once and for all."
The interception of the ships has attracted condemnation from several countries.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry described the Israeli operation as an "attack" targeting civilians, which is an "act of terrorism that gravely violates international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians."
"This assault, targeting civilians who were acting peacefully without resorting to violence, demonstrates that the fascist and militarist policies pursued by the genocidal Netanyahu government -- which has condemned Gaza to famine -- are not limited to Palestinians, but extend to all those who resist Israel's oppression," it said in a statement.
Deputy Minister Simon Harris of Ireland said his government has spoken with the flotilla and with their European Union counterparts.
"Tonight's reports are very concerning. This peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe," he said on X. "Ireland expects international law to be upheld and all those on board the flotilla to be treated in strict accordance with it."
Nine Ireland nationals were on the detained boats, Abukeshek said.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said by blocking the flotilla Israel had shown "utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world."
"The flotilla embodied solidarity, compassion and the hope of relief for those under blockade," he said in a statement.
"Malaysia will use all legitimate and lawful means at our disposal to ensure that Israel is held to account, especially in matters concerning Malaysian citizens."
Twelve Malaysians were on the detained boats, according to Abukeshek.
The flotilla departed as international support for Israel's war was greatly ebbing.
Following the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the world was mostly united behind the Middle Eastern country, but as the war has dragged on, the Palestinian death toll has climbed and the allegations of war crimes and genocide have mounted, it is seeing fewer and fewer backers of its prolonged assault on Gaza.
Israeli allies Australia, Britain, Canada, France and others earlier this month took the mostly symbolic step to formally recognize the state of Palestine, despite protests from Israel.
When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Friday at the United Nations, dozens of delegates walked out.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 66,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed by Israel amid the war. A total 455 people, including 151 children, have died from malnutrition, it said.
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