Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza Aid Flotilla, Take Activists to Crete

Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters near Greece and took activists to the Greek island of Crete, according to multiple reports describing the same operation from different angles.

Al Jazeera said Freedom Flotilla organisers told Reuters that 168 members of the flotilla crew had been taken to Crete while two activists remained with Israeli authorities, and it added that “22 boats have been intercepted so far” while “47 others are still sailing.”

Al Jazeera

AP reported that Israeli authorities said they planned to transport about 175 detained activists to Greece, and it described the flotilla as “seeking to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza” with organizers saying “more than 70 boats and 1,000 people” would be participating.

The BBC said “around 175 activists aboard 22 boats carrying aid were seized near the island of Crete,” and it reported that “All the detained activists have disembarked in Crete, apart from two men who are being brought to Israel ‘for questioning’.”

CBS News similarly said activists claimed Israeli forces intercepted “22 vessels” and detained crews, while Israel’s foreign ministry said about 175 activists from more than 20 boats were “now making their way peacefully to Israel.”

The Guardian reported that Israel’s foreign ministry said the IDF had taken control of “more than 20 boats with about 175 activists onboard,” while a live tracker said “22 boats have been intercepted so far, while 36 vessels are still sailing.”

Across the accounts, the flotilla’s Global Sumud Flotilla set sail earlier this month from Barcelona, and AP said it “set sail earlier this month from Barcelona, Spain,” while NPR said it “set sail earlier this month from Barcelona.”

The reports sharply diverge on how to characterize the interception and what happened during it.

Al Jazeera quoted Global Sumud Flotilla spokesperson Gur Tsabar describing Israel’s boarding as “a straight-up attack on unarmed civilian boats in international waters,” adding, “This is illegal under international law. Israel has no jurisdiction in these waters.”

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera also said Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it an “act of piracy,” while the US Department of State threatened “to impose consequences” and cast the flotilla as “pro-Hamas.”

The BBC said Israel’s foreign ministry called the flotilla a “PR stunt,” and it quoted Israel’s foreign ministry saying “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.”

CBS News reported that activists said Israeli forces “After smashing engines and destroying navigation arrays, the military retreated — intentionally leaving hundreds of civilians stranded on powerless, broken vessels directly in the path of a massive approaching storm,” and it also included the group’s claim: “This is piracy.”

In contrast, the Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein told Reuters that “early action was required in accordance with international law,” and he said the “operation was carried out in international waters peacefully and without any casualties.”

The Guardian added that in footage released by flotilla organisers, an Israeli navy officer urged activists to “Please change course and return to the port of origin,” and to proceed to “the port of Ashdod” if they were carrying humanitarian aid.

Several reports identify two activists held back from release in Greece and describe why Israel says it is keeping them in custody.

The BBC said “All the detained activists have disembarked in Crete, apart from two men who are being brought to Israel ‘for questioning’, according to the Israeli government,” naming “Saif Abu Keshek” and “Thiago Ávila.”

AP similarly said Israel’s Foreign Ministry originally said it was taking about 175 activists from more than 20 boats to Israel, and it reported that Foreign Minister Gideon Saar later wrote on X that the activists would be transferred to Greece in coordination with Greek authorities.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that “Six Australians were among those released on the island,” and it named the injured as Ethan Floyd, Zack Schofield and Neve O'Connor, while it said two activists from Spain and Brazil were taken to Israel for further questioning.

In the same ABC account, Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said all flotilla activists were now in Greece “except Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila,” and it quoted Israel’s foreign ministry: “Saif Abu Keshek, suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation and Thiago Ávila suspected of illegal activity, will be brought to Israel for questioning.”

The Express Tribune also named the two detainees as “Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian Thiago Avila,” and it reported Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares accused Israel of illegally arresting Abu Keshek and demanded his immediate release.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera said organisers told Reuters that 168 members were taken to Crete while “two activists remained with Israeli authorities,” aligning with the BBC’s “two men” held for questioning.

The interception triggered a chain of diplomatic reactions and public protests described across the reports, with governments and officials taking positions that ranged from condemnation to threats of consequences.

AP said protests in solidarity with detained flotilla activists were called “across several capitals,” and it reported that “In Rome, crowds gathered outside the Colosseum holding Palestinian flags,” while “In Athens supporters chanted in support of the flotilla outside the Greek foreign ministry.”

Al Jazeera

AP also reported that Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned the seizure as “an act of piracy,” and it said Spain summoned the Israeli charge d’affaires in Madrid “to convey its strongest condemnation of the detention of the flotilla,” which included Spanish citizens.

Euronews reported that Gideon Sa’ar thanked the Greek government “for its willingness to receive the flotilla participants,” while the BBC said the Greek foreign ministry had offered “diplomatic assistance” by agreeing to host the passengers and ensure their safe return home.

The US Department of State’s position was described by Al Jazeera as threatening “to impose consequences” against those who support the flotilla, which it cast as “pro-Hamas,” and Al Jazeera also reported that pro-Palestinian activists said Israel and the United States wrongly conflate advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for Hamas fighters.

NBC News reported that Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned the seizure as “an ‘act of piracy’,” and it said Spain summoned the Israeli charge d’affaires in Madrid, while Italy and Germany called for “restraint from irresponsible actions.”

The BBC also reported that the United States backed Israel’s decision to intercept the boats, with State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott calling the aid flotilla a “meaningless political stunt.”

The interception was framed by the parties as part of a longer contest over Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and the legality of enforcing it in international waters.

AP said Israel and Egypt have imposed varying degrees of a blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power in 2007, with Israel saying the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms while critics say it amounts to collective punishment.

Al Jazeera

NPR added that “Israel's actions … mark a dangerous and unprecedented escalation” and it described the blockade context, while it also said a fragile six month-old ceasefire had halted the most intense fighting but that “Israeli attacks have killed more than 790 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.”

The BBC reported that the flotilla set sail two weeks ago with “a total of 58 vessels joining from Spain, France and Italy,” and it said the group’s stated objectives included “challenge Israel's illegal blockade” and “advance the opening of a permanent humanitarian corridor.”

The Guardian and other reports also tied the operation to the group’s previous attempt, with AP saying Israel foiled the group’s earlier effort less than a year ago involving “about 50 vessels and around 500 activists,” including Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela.

Al Jazeera said last October Israel intercepted about 40 boats from the first Global Sumud Flotilla, arresting more than 450 participants including Greta Thunberg, and it said Israel later expelled the arrested crew members and activists.

Looking ahead, the BBC said buses were waiting to take people onward after disembarkation in Crete and that their final destination was expected to be Heraklion, while AP said Netanyahu congratulated the Israeli Navy and wrote, “They will continue to watch Gaza on YouTube.”