Pro-Palestinian activists say at least 22 boats from a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza have been intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near the Greek island of Crete.
The organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) denounced the action as “piracy”, saying those on board had been seized unlawfully more than 965km (600 miles) from Gaza, which is under an Israeli naval blockade.
The Israeli foreign ministry said about 175 activists from more than 20 boats had been detained and were being transported to Israel. It dismissed the flotilla as a “PR stunt”.
The GSF’s tracking data showed most of the remaining 36 boats in the flotilla were close to Crete’s south coast.
The flotilla set sail two weeks ago, with a total of 58 vessels joining from Spain, France and Italy, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
On Thursday, the GSF said Israeli naval forces had “intercepted, boarded, and systematically disabled and destroyed various boats” in the flotilla during a “violent raid in international waters” west of Crete overnight.
“Over 180 civilians from around the world have been directly attacked,” it added.
Israel insists its actions comply with international law.
The Israeli foreign ministry said that “due to the large numbers of vessels participating in the flotilla and the risk of escalation, and the need to prevent the breach of a lawful blockade, an early action was required”.
“The operation was carried out in international waters peacefully and without any casualties. An initial inspection of the vessels revealed materials that appear to be drugs and contraceptives,” it added.
The ministry also accused the flotilla’s organisers of “joining hands” with the Palestinian armed group Hamas “with the aim of sabotaging President Trump’s [Gaza] peace plan transition to its second phase and intended to divert attention from Hamas’s refusal to disarm”.
European Union foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni told reporters: “We reiterate our call on Israeli authorities to respect international law, including international humanitarian law and international maritime law.”
The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
Israel responded by launching a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, during which more than 72,600 people have been killed, including 824 since the start of the ceasefire, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
