LONDON: Media groups have condemned the arrest of two French journalists who were on board the Gaza-bound Madleen ship, which was intercepted by the Israeli military on Monday. The journalists were identified as Yanis Mhamdi, from the independent media outlet Blast, and Omar Faiad, a reporter for Al Jazeera. In a statement, the Committee to Protect Journalists called for the immediate release of journalists who were part of the pro-Palestinian convoy of activists delivering aid to Gaza as a symbolic protest against the ongoing war and to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis.

Israeli media says activists face detention if they fail to comply with Israeli army orders.

Madleen has 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. Israel has ordered its military to block the vessel.