Israel detains over 450 activists, including Greta Thunberg, after intercepting Gaza aid flotilla

Israel faced international condemnation after its military intercepted almost all of about 40 boats in a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza and took captive more than 450 foreign activists, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets in cities across Europe, Karachi, Buenos Aires and Mexico City to protest Israel’s capturing of the activists.  
The Global Sumud Flotilla, the organiser of the voyage, said that more than 450 volunteers had been detained. It said some of them were transferred to one large cargo vessel before being taken ashore.  Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan however criticised Israeli aggression, saying it showed Israel’s government has no intention of letting hopes for peace grow. The flotilla, which set sail in late August, was transporting medicine and food to Gaza and consisted of more than 40 civilian vessels with parliamentarians, lawyers and activists.
However, Israeli officials have repeatedly denounced the mission as a stunt.  Israel’s navy had previously warned the flotilla it was approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful blockade.  It had offered to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza.