Greta Thunberg

In the end, the Israeli Navy appears to have carried out a well coordinated and peaceful interception of the vessels - and this was a complex task.

The Foreign Ministry said that all passengers were safe and in good health, adding that were making their way to Israel before their deportation to Europe.

The Flotilla has grown since it left Spain on September 1. It has around 20 boats that left Spain and 20 from Italy, as well as several from Greece. Most of the vessels are sailboats.

As a new flotilla sails for Gaza, the tactics of a previous voyage – from pre-recorded videos to rejected aid routes – provide a clear indication of the media confrontation to come.

Italy’s navy will stop accompanying the Gaza aid flotilla 150 miles from shore, warning activists to turn back. Israel has vowed to block the convoy from reaching Gaza.

Gaza flotilla leaders are said to have had direct contact with Hamas.

After two days anchored near Crete, the 40-vessel flotilla set sail again with Italian and Spanish warships nearby to monitor and support its passage.

Saif Ayadi: "The Zionist lobby uses propaganda around our queer identities to attack the flotilla, break its unity, and discredit it."

The Italian Defense Minister redirected an Italian navy ship to head towards the flotilla after they were reportedly attacked off the coast of Greece.

The Greta Thunberg-associated activist flotilla attempting to carry aid to the Gaza Strip released a statement accusing Israel of escalation.