Organizers of the flotilla intended to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza are using children as human shields to keep Israel from attacking the boats. Chairman Bulent Yildirim of the Turkish group IHH said so during an interview on the group's website, in which he was seen holding a baby that was on board the boat Mavi Marmara.

Organizers have expressed a wish that any confrontation between the boats and the Israeli navy take place during the day, for better media coverage. They expected the confrontation to take place during daylight hours Monday morning, but the Israeli navy intercepted the lead ship late Sunday night.