Israel drew widespread condemnation and mass protests on Thursday after its military intercepted nearly all of a flotilla of about 40 boats carrying aid to Gaza, detaining more than 450 international activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Live footage from the vessels showed heavily armed Israeli soldiers in helmets and night vision gear boarding the boats as passengers, wearing life vests, raised their hands in surrender. A separate video released by Israel’s foreign ministry showed Thunberg sitting on a deck surrounded by soldiers.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which organized the mission, confirmed on X that over 450 volunteers were taken captive. Some were reportedly transferred onto a cargo ship before being brought ashore at Ashdod port.

One vessel, the Marinette, was said to be “still sailing strong” late Thursday, around 80 nautical miles from Gaza and just 10 miles away from the area where Israeli forces launched their interception.

Thunberg, 22, had pre-recorded a video released after her detention: “If you are watching this video, I have been abducted and taken against my will by Israeli forces. Our humanitarian mission was non-violent and abiding by international law.”

The crackdown sparked protests in cities across Europe, as well as in Karachi, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City. Italian trade unions went further, announcing a nationwide general strike on Friday in solidarity with the activists.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the detained campaigners are expected to be expelled from Israel on Monday and Tuesday and flown back to European capitals on charter flights.

The Israeli foreign ministry said all detainees were “safe and in good health,” branding the mission a “provocation” and vowing to prevent the Marinette or any other vessel from reaching Gaza.