Israel took two members of the group in for questioning.
ATHENS, Greece (AFP) – Dozens of activists in a Gaza-led aid flotilla that was seized by Israeli forces in international waters off Crete disembarked on the Greek island on Friday, without an AFP reporter.
Escorted by the Greek coast guard, around 175 activists, most of them nationals of European countries, were taken by bus to the port of Atherinolakko, in the southeast of the island before being moved to Heraklion, Crete’s main city.
As they approached the port, activists chanted “Free Palestine,” seen by AFP.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said earlier that about 175 activists had been removed from more than 20 ships on Thursday by his country’s military. The organizers of the flotilla say that the number of activists “abducted” is 211.
Spain demanded the immediate release of one of its citizens held by Israeli authorities.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said around 20 Turkish nationals in the flotilla, who had been detained and sent to Crete, would be repatriated. He said “certain participants from third countries” would also be sent to Turkey.
The flotilla of more than 50 ships set sail in recent weeks from Marseille in France, Barcelona in Spain and Syracuse in Italy.
Its purpose, according to the organizers, was to break the blockade of Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
Israel controls all entry points into Gaza. It has been accused by the United Nations and foreign NGOs of choking off the flow of goods to the territory, causing shortages since the start of Israel’s war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023.
The Gaza Strip, ruled by Hamas, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
‘provocation’
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said Friday: “All flotilla activists are now in Greece, except for Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila.”
In a post on X, the ministry called the flotilla “another provocation designed to divert attention from Hamas’ refusal to disarm.” He also said the flotilla was catering to “professional provocateurs”.
He said Keshek was “suspected of ties to a terrorist organization” and that he and Avila, suspected of “illegal activities,” would be brought to Israel for questioning.
Several European governments with nationals among those arrested have called on Israel to release the activists and called its action a flagrant violation of international law.
Israel’s closest ally, the United States, backed Israeli authorities, calling the flotilla a “stunt” and saying it expects allies to deny port access, anchoring, departure and refueling to ships participating in the flotilla.
A State Department spokesman said Washington was exploring imposing “consequences” on those who support the flotilla.
The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has led to severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel.
In the summer and fall of 2025, a maiden voyage of the Global Sumud Flotilla through the Mediterranean to Gaza attracted worldwide attention.
Ships in that flotilla were seized by Israel off the coast of Egypt and the Gaza Strip in early October.
Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested and subsequently deported from Israel.
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From Agence France-Presse
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