Organisers say Israeli forces seized at least 15 boats, leaving others stranded at sea after engines were destroyed

Israeli naval forces raided Gaza-bound aid vessels in international waters hundreds of nautical miles from the besieged enclave late on Wednesday.

According to the Global Sumud Flotilla aid mission, at least 15 boats were intercepted, with those on board “abducted” by Israeli forces and unaccounted for.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said approximately 175 activists from more than 20 boats were in Israeli custody.

The Global Sumud Flotilla said various vessels were “systematically disabled” after being raided, leaving activists stranded at sea.

“After smashing engines and destroying navigation arrays, the military retreated—intentionally leaving hundreds of civilians stranded on powerless, broken vessels directly in the path of a massive approaching storm,” it said.