Another flotilla has attempted to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.

Israel intercepted the Gaza-bound aid flotilla and faced global condemnation for its treatment of the pro-Palestinian activists on board.

Its far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on social media showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs - prompting a public rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Sky News looks at why the flotilla movement exists, who is involved and why it is controversial.

What is the Gaza flotilla movement?

International activists say the decades-long modern flotilla movement aims to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza and deliver urgent humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave - plus establish a maritime route for this to happen through the Mediterranean.

The gradual blockade of Gaza began in 1991, when Israel cancelled the general exit permit that had previously allowed most Palestinians to move freely.

Israeli restrictions were tightened when Hamas won elections in 2006 and took control of Gaza the following June.

Gaza has been under an Israeli, air, land and sea blockade since 2007.

Restrictions were ramped up further after the Israel-Hamas war which began after the militant group's multi-pronged attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, that killed about 1,200 people.

According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, more than 72,700 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel's military campaign. Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and fighters.

Egypt, which has the only border crossing with Gaza not controlled by Israel, has also greatly restricted movement in and out.

Israel says its naval blockade is lawful and necessary for its own protection - but it has resulted in severe shortages of food, drinking water, medicine and fuel in Gaza.

Last August, a famine was declared in Gaza City and its surrounding neighbourhoods by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) - a globally recognised system for classifying the severity of food insecurity and malnutrition.

In December, the IPC said nutrition and food supplies had improved following a ceasefire agreed by Israel and Hamas in October as part of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, but added more than 100,000 people were experiencing catastrophic conditions and warned the situation remained "highly fragile".

According to the UN, at least 1.9 million people - or about 90 per cent of the population - across the Gaza Strip have been displaced during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Many now live ​in bombed-out homes and makeshift tents.

Who is involved in the flotilla movement?

In August 2008, two boats from the Free Gaza Movement, became the first to reach Gaza and delivered hearing aids and medicines.

Similar bids have ended with Israel intercepting the vessels involved and detaining activists - including the latest attempt to breach the blockade, organised by the Global Sumud Flotilla.

The flotilla, made up of more than 50 boats, departed for Gaza last week from Turkey, near Cyprus.

Organisers said they wanted to draw renewed attention to the conditions for nearly two million Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Katy Davidson, an activist from the British delegation on the flotilla, said any interception would still help draw attention to the situation.

The Global Sumud ⁠Flotilla said all 50 boats were intercepted in the eastern Mediterranean, with 428 participants from more than ‌40 countries detained, including 78 Turks.

Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, was among at least 12 Irish citizens on board the flotilla that were detained by Israel.

The flotilla was making a renewed attempt to deliver aid to Gaza after earlier missions were intercepted by Israel in international waters, including near the southern Greek Island of Crete.

Previous flotillas - including one last year which set off from Barcelona carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg - were also intercepted by Israel, with participants later deported.

The flotilla mission Thunberg took part in was made up of around 40 civilian vessels and involved more than 500 activists from more than 44 countries.

The climate campaigner was also on board the Madleen, which was intercepted and brought to shore in Israel a few months earlier.

Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza in May 2025 after a three-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas and preventing the group from importing arms.

But critics say it amounts to collective punishment and humanitarian workers have warned of mass starvation unless there is an end to the blockade.

Palestinians and international aid bodies say supplies reaching Gaza are still insufficient, despite the US-brokered ceasefire that included guarantees of increased aid.

Why is the flotilla movement controversial?

The United States and Israel have repeatedly alleged flotilla leaders and associated groups have ties to Hamas - which organisers have denied.

Israel has called the flotilla movement "a PR stunt at the service of Hamas" with no real intent to deliver aid to Gaza.

It has characterised the convoys as political "provocations", and claimed the boats carry a tiny, symbolic amount of aid.

The United States this week imposed sanctions against four activists involved in the flotilla missions, accusing organisers of "supporting Hamas". The move was announced after the latest Israeli interception.

"The pro-terror flotilla attempting to reach Gaza is a ludicrous attempt to undermine President Trump's successful progress toward lasting peace in the region," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

He said his department would "continue to sever Hamas's global financial support networks, no matter where in the world they are."

(c) Sky News 2026: Gaza-bound flotilla movement: All you need to know