Israel intercepted a total of 13 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla, with another 30 boats still sailing towards Gaza, flotilla organizers wrote on Telegram in their latest update.
They said the vessels were 46 nautical miles from Gaza.
In previous posts, they said that livestreams and communications were cut on the intercepted boats and that the "status of participants and crew remains unconfirmed."
Israel's Foreign Ministery hasn't posted an update on the passengers of the boats it stopped since it said that "Greta and her friends are safe and healthy" some six hours ago.
Protests break out across Italy, general strike called
Protests sprung up in a number of Italian cities late on Wednesday evening after reports that vessels from the Gaza aid flotilla were intercepted by Israel.
From the capital Rome to major cities such as Milan, Naples and Torino, thousands of protesters have started gathering in city centers calling out "Free Palestine," singing the Italian protest song "Bella Ciao" and waving Palestinian flags.
In Genoa, Italy's largest cargo port, the USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) union said that it intended to block the port and called on protesters to gather at one of the main entrances.
Over the past two weeks, protesting Italian dockworkers have prevented various ships from docking and loading, targeting vessels they say were involved in trade with Israel.
The Italian Confederation of Labor Union (CGIL), Italy's biggest union with more than 5 million members, called for a general strike on Friday.
"The aggression against civilian ships that were carrying Italian citizens is an extremely serious matter," the CGIL union said. Other unions such as the USB have supported the strike call.
Turkey slams Israel's interception of Gaza-bound flotilla
Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Israel of "an act of terrorism" after the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was bound for Gaza, was intercepted.
"The attack carried out by Israeli forces in international waters against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, constitutes an act of terrorism that gravely violates international law," the ministry said in a statement.
Earlier, Israel's Foreign Ministry said that the purpose of the flotilla was provocation.
"Israel, Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have all offered and continue to offer the flotilla a way to peacefully deliver any aid they might have to Gaza," Israel's Foreign Ministry said in a post on social media platform X.
It went on to say that the flotilla had refused these offers because "they are not interested in aid, but in provocation."
Israel said the flotilla had been asked to change course and that it was approaching an active war zone and "violating a lawful naval blockade."
Israel says several vessels 'safely stopped'
Israel's Foreign Ministry said that a number of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla had been stopped.
"Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy," the ministry said.
The ministry posted video footage of what appeared to be Greta Thunberg seated on the ground, surrounded by security personnel who looked to be carrying out checks under torchlight.
The statement from the ministry came shortly after activists reported that vessels from the flotilla had been intercepted.
Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port.
Greta and her friends are safe and healthy. pic.twitter.com/PA1ezier9s
Gaza flotilla activists accuse Israel of 'intercepting' their vessels
Activists aboard the Gaza aid flotilla accused Israeli forces of "illegally intercepting" their vessels and coming aboard as the flotilla approached the Israeli blockade.
The Global Sumud Flotilla was sailing toward Gaza with more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 people. Among them are parliamentarians from various countries, lawyers and activists, including the Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The announcement came through the flotilla's X account, with organizers saying they were "working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board."
Many of the live feeds from the convoy's ships continued to work with the people seen on board sitting calmly.
Israel warns Gaza flotilla to change course
Israel's government has warned the Gaza aid flotilla to change course as the activist boats approached waters under Israeli blockade.
"The Israeli Navy has reached out to the ... flotilla and asked them to change course," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade."
The occupants of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla said the Israeli navy had begun intercepting their vessels, writing on social media accounts that they had been ordered to shut down their engines.
The Global Sumud Flotilla was sailing toward Gaza with more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 people. Among them are parliamentarians from various countries, lawyers and activists, including the Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
Despite repeated warnings from Israel not to approach Gaza's coast, the caravan of boats had pressed on, although the people aboard expected to be halted by Israel's navy.
