Israeli fores opened fired at crew of aid vessels bound for Gaza without provocation, a member of the Global Sumud Flotilla organization said on Tuesday (May 19).

Saif Abu Keshek told Reuters he was worried about the wellbeing of the flotilla participants, and called Israel’s detention of the civilians in international waters a crime.

Video from the flotilla's livestream showed soldiers firing warning shots at two of the boats, but the type of ammunition was not clear. Another spokesperson for the flotilla said six vessels had been fired at. There are no reports of casualties.

The Israeli military declined to comment, referring Reuters to the foreign ministry. A spokesperson for the foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters questions.

The organizers said that Israeli forces had intercepted 44 of their boats in the eastern Mediterranean and six boats were still sailing.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: CATALONIA, SPAIN (MAY 19, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA MEMBER, SAIF ABU KESHEK, SAYING:

“So the current situation that we have, the last ten boats of our mission that is being intercepted, we have a confirmation of six boats that were intercepted and four boats are still remaining. Then we have a video footage of Israeli soldiers shooting at the four or five of our boats.”

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA MEMBER, SAIF ABU KESHEK, SAYING:

“We can see directly on the videos that there has been no provocation. There has been no actions by the participants that would call for the escalation of violence. And we see the soldiers shooting. We can also hear some participants like replying to the soldiers and asking them, ‘Why are you shooting at us?’ This is putting the life of all participants at risk and we are very concerned for their safety.”

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA MEMBER, SAIF ABU KESHEK, SAYING:

“What Israel is continuing to do, it's because of the complicity that is done by several governments, including European governments. And every government is being silent and not taking action is contributing to the violence that Israel is implementing on the flotilla and on the people of Palestine.”

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA MEMBER, SAIF ABU KESHEK, SAYING:

“It's another crime that Israel continues to commit in the international waters by intercepting those civilian boats that are protected by the international law and that the ICJ order is to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. They are being intercepted and attacked by Israeli soldiers and the Israeli navy.”