London: Israeli forces have intercepted a flotilla of more than 40 vessels seeking to land in Gaza to deliver aid and show support for the Palestinian cause, detaining campaigner Greta Thunberg while targeting boats with drones and water cannons.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the operation, which began in the early hours of Thursday morning, AEST, and said authorities intended to stop and detain all the passengers, including Thunberg, and transfer them to an Israeli port.

Australians on board some of the boats told this masthead they saw 20 unidentified vessels approaching them, while their communications were jammed as they headed towards the Gaza shoreline.

“Our vessels are being illegally intercepted. Cameras are offline and vessels have been boarded by military personnel.

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