Israeli naval forces

Israeli naval forces are the maritime arm of the Israel Defense Forces, responsible for controlling the sea approaches to Israel and its maritime interests. They have a long history of intercepting vessels, particularly those attempting to breach the blockade of the Gaza Strip. In recent news, Israeli naval forces are reported to have fired 'rubber bullets' at activists aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. This action follows a pattern of interdiction, as nearly all flotillas over the past 20 years have been intercepted by Israeli forces. The latest interdiction resulted in hundreds of missing individuals. Consequently, the United States has imposed sanctions on four activists involved in these flotilla missions, highlighting the international attention and controversy surrounding these naval operations. The ongoing actions of the Israeli naval forces in intercepting aid flotillas remain a significant and contentious issue in the region.