Activists From Gaza Aid Flotilla Taken to Crete After Israeli Interception

Mintesinot Niggusie

More than 100 pro-Palestinian activists attempting to deliver aid to Gaza were taken to the Greek island of Crete on Friday after Israeli forces intercepted their vessels in international waters, organisers of the flotilla said.

Greece's foreign ministry said 176 people disembarked at a port on Crete. Of those, 31 were taken to a health centre for first aid, while the remainder were transferred to Heraklion International Airport for onward travel.

The activists were part of a Global Sumud flotilla that had departed from Port of Barcelona on April 12, aiming to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian supplies. Footage showed members of the group being transferred from an Israeli naval vessel to Greek boats before reaching shore, where buses and ambulances were waiting.

Israel's foreign ministry described the flotilla organisers as professional provocateurs and said it would not permit any attempt to breach what it called a lawful naval blockade.

Two activists remained in Israeli custody, according to both Israeli authorities and organisers. They were identified as Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Thiago Avila of Brazil. Israel said the pair would be taken to the country for questioning, citing suspicions of links to a militant group in one case and unspecified illegal activity in the other.

Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, called for Abu Keshek's immediate release, while Spain and Brazil issued a joint statement describing the interception as illegal and subject to international legal review.

Organisers of the flotilla alleged that detainees were subjected to poor treatment while held aboard an Israeli vessel, including limited access to food and water and physical abuse during protests. They released images they said showed injuries among some activists.

Israeli authorities did not immediately respond to the allegations.