Gaza flotilla activists flying home from Crete after Israeli interception

Vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted connected planetary waters by the Israeli Navy, sail disconnected the metropolis of Ierapetra, connected the land of Crete, Greece, May 1, 2026. [Reuters/Stefanos Rapanis]

Pro-Palestinian activists intercepted by Israeli forces successful the Mediterranean Sea person started flying backmost to their countries of root aft being ferried to the southern land of Crete, the Foreign Ministry said precocious Friday.

Early Thursday, Israeli subject ships stopped vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla that had acceptable disconnected from Barcelona, Spain, this period and were trying to transport humanitarian assistance to Gaza successful breach of an Israeli blockade. 

More than 170 activists connected committee were forcibly taken disconnected the vessels by the Israeli military.

The Foreign Ministry said 176 radical from European Union and different countries who had been connected the flotilla were taken to Crete, and 31 of them proceeded to infirmary successful the town of Siteia to person archetypal assistance for unspecified complaints. Activists person accused Israeli forces of assaulting them.

“The remainder [were taken] to the Iraklio airport, from where … their gradual departure from Greece started,” the ministry said successful a statement.

It added that Greece had “responsibly undertaken – under highly adverse conditions – the humanitarian task of receiving [the activists] with its sole information being their information and protection.”

It said the cognition followed coordination with overseas diplomatic missions successful Greece, while Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis discussed the substance with colleagues from countries involved.

Spain’s overseas minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said 30 Spaniards had arrived successful Crete but ​one man, Saif Abu Keshek, had been “illegally” arrested and was being taken to Israel.

“We request his contiguous release,” ​he said.

Israel’s overseas ministry said Abu Keshek was suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation and, on with a 2nd activist, would beryllium taken to Israel for questioning. “Israel will not let the breach of the lawful naval blockade connected Gaza,” it said.

Germany and Italy’s overseas ministries said they were pursuing developments with heavy concern.