![\"Gaza](\"https:\/\/www.ekathimerini.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/flotilla-ezgif.com-avif-to-jpg-converter-320x200.jpg?v=1777647529\")
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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]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Greek authorities said activists from the \u201cGlobal Sumud Flotilla,\u201d who were brought to Crete earlier Friday after Israeli forces intercepted their vessels in international waters, are being transferred to Iraklio airport for repatriation procedures. About 30 injured participants were taken to Sitia Hospital for medical treatment.<\/p>\n
The activists were \u200cpart of a second Global Sumud flotilla, launched in recent months in an attempt to break Israel\u2019s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian assistance. The ships set sail from the Spanish port of Barcelona on April 12.<\/p>\n
On Friday, an Israeli army ship transferred 168 members of the \u200bflotilla crew to Greek boats, which then took them to shore where buses and an ambulance waited for them, organizers \u200bsaid and Reuters footage showed.<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s foreign ministry called the flotilla organizers \u201cprofessional provocateurs\u201d.<\/p>\n
Two activist held<\/h3>\n
The organizers \u2060said two activists remained with Israeli authorities.<\/p>\n
Spain\u2019s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said 30 Spaniards had arrived in Crete but \u200bone Spanish national, Saif Abu Keshek, had been \u201cillegally\u201d arrested and was being taken to Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe demand his immediate release,\u201d \u200bhe said.<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek was suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation and, along with a second activist suspected of illegal activity, would be taken to Israel for questioning.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsrael will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,\u201d the \u200bforeign ministry said.<\/p>\n
Germany and Italy\u2019s foreign ministries issued a joint statement saying they were following developments with \u201cdeep concern\u201d.<\/p>\n
A source \u200bwho asked not to be identified said that while 22 boats had been intercepted by Israel, 47 others were still sailing off \u200csouthern Crete \u2060and planned to anchor there at some point before continuing onwards to Gaza. Each ship is carrying about a ton of food, medical and other equipment, the source said.<\/p>\n
The 22 vessels were seized by Israel late on Wednesday in international waters off Greece\u2019s Peloponnese peninsula, which is hundreds of miles from Gaza, the flotilla\u2019s organizers said.<\/p>\n
In a statement on \u200bThursday, the US State Department \u200bthreatened \u201cto impose consequences\u201d against \u2060those who support the flotilla, which it cast as pro-Hamas.<\/p>\n
Pro-Palestinian activists say Israel and the US wrongly conflate their advocacy for Palestinian rights as support for Hamas extremists.<\/p>\n
Last October \u200bIsrael\u2019s military halted a previous flotilla assembled by the same organisation, arresting Swedish activist Greta \u200bThunberg and more \u2060than 450 participants. That followed other seaborne attempts to reach blockaded Gaza.<\/p>\n
Palestinians and international aid bodies say supplies reaching Gaza are still insufficient, despite a ceasefire reached in October that included guarantees of increased aid.<\/p>\n
Most of Gaza\u2019s more than 2 million \u2060people have \u200bbeen displaced, many now living in bombed-out homes and makeshift tents pitched on \u200bopen ground, roadsides, or atop the ruins of destroyed buildings.<\/p>\n
Israel, which controls all access to the Gaza Strip, denies withholding supplies for its residents. [Kathimerini\/Reuters]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n