Activists on a flotilla of ships trying to break Israel's naval blockade and deliver aid to Gaza have said they have been hindered by Israeli warships.
The Sumud Global Fleet has announced that one of its flagship vessels, the Alma, was "aggressively surrounded" by an Israeli vessel for several minutes, and that communications on board were disrupted during the incident.
Israel has said it will not allow the flotilla to reach its destination. It has already blocked two attempts by activists to send aid in June and July.
This Wednesday's fleet consists of over 40 ships and 500 people, including Italian politicians and Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
Italy and Greece have called on Israel to ensure the protection and safety of activists and have announced that they are monitoring developments.
According to Israeli media, six ships have been intercepted, with more expected.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has condemned the blocking of the ships, describing it as a terrorist act.
Al Jazeera has reported that activist Greta Thunberg has been arrested by Israeli forces. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has confirmed that several ships have been stopped and the passengers have been transferred to an Israeli port.
"Greta and her friends are fine," it says. in the ministry's announcement.
The Sumud fleet has said several times that Israel has attacked its ships.
"The fleet has not broken any laws. What is illegal is Israel's genocide, Israel's illegal blockade of aid to Gaza, and Israel's use of starvation as a weapon."
Meanwhile, protests have erupted in several Italian cities after reports that ships have been detained. Italian associations have called for strikes to protest the treatment of the ships.