Vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted on international waters by the Israeli Navy, sail off the city of Ierapetra, on the island of Crete, Greece, May 1, 2026. [Reuters/Stefanos Rapanis]
Pro-Palestinian activists intercepted by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean Sea have started flying back to their countries of origin after being ferried to the southern island of Crete, the Foreign Ministry said late Friday.
Early Thursday, Israeli military ships stopped vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla that had set off from Barcelona, Spain, this month and were trying to transport humanitarian aid to Gaza in breach of an Israeli blockade.
More than 170 activists on board were forcibly taken off the vessels by the Israeli military.
The Foreign Ministry said 176 people from European Union and other countries who had been on the flotilla were taken to Crete, and 31 of them proceeded to hospital in the town of Siteia to receive first aid for unspecified complaints. Activists have accused Israeli forces of assaulting them.
“The rest [were taken] to the Iraklio airport, from where … their gradual departure from Greece started,” the ministry said in a statement.
It added that Greece had “responsibly undertaken – under highly adverse conditions – the humanitarian task of receiving [the activists] with its sole consideration being their safety and protection.”
It said the operation followed coordination with foreign diplomatic missions in Greece, while Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis discussed the matter with colleagues from countries involved.
Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said 30 Spaniards had arrived in Crete but one man, Saif Abu Keshek, had been “illegally” arrested and was being taken to Israel.
“We demand his immediate release,” he said.
Israel’s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek was suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation and, along with a second activist, would be taken to Israel for questioning. “Israel will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” it said.
Germany and Italy’s foreign ministries said they were following developments with deep concern.