Protests supporting Gaza take place in Europe

The Global Sumud Flotilla says its fleet carrying aid to Gaza has been intercepted after it detected over 20 "unidentified vessels" just three nautical miles away from its fleet.

The GSF said multiple vessels of its fleet were "illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters" on Wednesday evening. GSF said it has lost communications and live stream coverage with multiple boats.

"Despite interception of a few vessels, the Global Sumud Flotilla is 70 nautical miles away from the Gaza coastline and will continue undeterred," GSF said in a statement.

GSF said it is working to confirm the safety and status of participants on board.

"We call on governments, world leaders, and international institutions to demand the safety and release of all on board and continue to monitor this situation closely," GSF said.

"Let it be clear: we will not be intimidated by threats, harassment, or efforts to protect Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza," the flotilla said in an earlier statement Wednesday.

Israel's foreign minister said the sole purpose of the flotilla is "provocation," after news of it being intercepted broke.

"Israel, Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have all offered and continue to offer the flotilla a way to peacefully deliver any aid they might have to Gaza. The flotilla refused because they are not interested in aid, but in provocation," Minister Gideon Sa'ar said in a statement Wednesday.

"The Israeli Navy has reached out to the Hamas-Sumud flotilla and asked them to change course. Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade. Israel reiterated the offer to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza," Sa'ar said.

The Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza could jeopardize peace negotiations for the strip, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Wednesday.

Italian naval assets that were very involved with the Flotilla after it suffered a drone attack have since pulled back, enhancing danger for the boats.

Meloni called the flotilla "risky" and "irresponsible."

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that creates a national security guarantee with Qatar, saying that any armed attack on Qatar will be considered a threat to the U.S.

The order is sweeping, saying that "the United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States."

In the event of an attack, the order says that the U.S. will "take all lawful and appropriate measures — including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military — to defend the interests of the United States and of the State of Qatar and to restore peace and stability."

The order directs the U.S. secretary of state, defense secretary and the director of national intelligence to make a contingency plan with Qatari officials "to ensure a rapid and coordinated response to any foreign aggression against the State of Qatar."

The order comes after an Israeli strike on Qatari soil last month. After Israel's strike on Qatar, the White House said that Trump spoke to the Qatari emir and prime minister and assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil.

Iran also fired missiles at a U.S. military base inside Qatar in June.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Israel Defense Forces continue to operate at "full force" in Gaza City, the Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday, warning that Israel will tighten the siege around city and anyone leaving it will be forced to pass through checkpoints.

"This is a last chance for Gaza residents who are interested in moving south and leaving Hamas terrorists isolated in Gaza City itself in the face of IDF activity that continues at full strength," Katz said.

"Those who remain in Gaza will be terrorists and supporters of terror," Katz said.