Elite Israeli naval commandos on Monday morning began the interception of the ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla in an operation off the coast of Cyprus, hundreds of miles from Israel’s coast, boarding the ships with drawn weapons.

The IDF troops took control of several ships and arrested the activists without clashes, transferring them to a “floating prison,” which is expected to sail to Ashdod.

The plan is for the naval forces to take control of about 20 of the largest ships in the flotilla, with the hope that the remaining ships will change course and turn back.

Fifty‑seven vessels and about 500 pro-terror activists departed last week from Marmaris, Turkey, carrying hundreds of pro‑Hamas activists, and were estimated to reach the Gaza area in about two days in an effort to violate Israel’s naval blockade of the Strip.