Sri Lanka, Oct. 2 -- The Israeli navy has intercepted boats carrying aid to Gaza and detained the activists aboard, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said several vessels that form part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) had been "safely stopped" and that those aboard were being transferred to an Israeli port.

It added that the navy had told the vessels to change course as they were "approaching an active combat zone".

The GSF described the interception as "illegal" and "not an act of defence" but "a brazen act of desperation".

The group has alleged that one vessel within the flotilla was "deliberately rammed at sea" and said additional boats were hit by water cannons.

"It clearly reveals ...