Israeli Soldiers Fire Shots at Peaceful Flotilla Activists

It is not clear if anyone was injured.

by Joshua Carroll

19 May 2026

Footage captured on Tuesday showed soldiers firing guns. Global Sumud Flotilla

Israeli soldiers fired guns at peaceful humanitarian activists while illegally intercepting boats attempting to deliver aid to Gaza on Tuesday, video footage shows. 

It is not clear what type of ammunition the soldiers were using or if anyone was injured. 

A spokesperson for the flotilla said a total of six vessels had been shot at. Israel has intercepted ​at least 48 boats, with two still sailing as of Tuesday evening.

Organisers do not currently have any information about the wellbeing of 400 participants detained so far. They are believed to have been loaded on to warships which will transport them to Israel.

Israel has repeatedly breached international law in its efforts to stop the Gaza aid mission from reaching its destination.

Earlier this month 34 people, including two Brits, were hospitalised in Greece after Israeli soldiers used violence against kidnapped participants on board a warship. They shot at the captives, punched and kicked them, sexually assaulted some and dragged others across the floor, the activists said.

Organisers Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek were sent to an Israeli prison where they were tortured before being released after 10 days.

Joshua Carroll is a writer and journalist.

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