The Israeli military has seized an aid flotilla en route to Gaza in international waters, arresting about 400 activists from more than 40 different countries, at least 11 of whom are Canadian. According to organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, shots were fired on board the vessels and "kidnapped" volunteers, whereas the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the use of any deadly force during their enforcement of the naval blockade. The raid has received severe criticism from leaders of Turkey and Ireland, particularly in light of the recent sanctioning of four of the activists by the U.S. Treasury Department as "pro-terror."