Pro-Palestinian activists reported that 22 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), carrying aid for Gaza, have been intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near Crete. The organisers condemned the move as “piracy”, accusing Israel of unlawfully seizing civilians more than 965km from Gaza. Israeli Foreign Ministry said around 175 activists were detained and called the flotilla a “PR stunt”.
The flotilla began its journey two weeks ago, with 58 vessels joining from Spain, France, and Italy, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
According to the GSF, the Israeli naval forces had “intercepted, boarded, and systematically disabled and destroyed various boats” in the flotilla on Thursday during a “violent raid in international waters” north-west of Crete.
“After detaining participants, smashing an engine and jamming communications, the [Israeli forces] retreated, kidnapping participants or intentionally leaving civilians stranded on powerless, broken vessels directly in the path of a massive approaching storm,” the GSF gave a statement.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry justified the action, claiming that “due to the large number 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 ministry said the operation was carried out in international waters peacefully without any casualties and accused the vessels of carrying materials appearing to be drugs and contraceptives.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar declared, “In co-ordination with the Greek government, the individuals transferred from the flotilla vessels to the Israeli vessel will be disembarked on a Greek beach in the coming hours.”
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement calling for “restraint and universal respect” for international law. It reported that Greek authorities had “asked Israel to withdraw its vessels from the region” and revealed that they were in consultation with Israeli authorities regarding the issue of “safe disembarkation” of the passengers.
Meanwhile, Greek centre-left opposition Dimitris Mantzos pressured the government to explain how it intends to respond to “this illegal act”.
Israel’s move has been condemned by world leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who demanded Israel immediately release “all the unlawfully detained Italians”. She called for the “full respect of international law and guarantees on the physical safety of the people on board”.
European Union foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni spoke to reporters, “We reiterate our call on Israeli authorities to respect international law, including international humanitarian law and international maritime law.”
Israel had previously stopped a flotilla set up by the GSF from reaching Gaza last October, detaining and deporting 470 civilians, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
As per the GSF, the objectives of the current flotilla are to “challenge Israel’s illegal blockade, advance the opening of a permanent humanitarian corridor, and intensify coordinated international pressure on governments and corporations complicit in its enforcement”.
The current situation in Gaza is reportedly worsening, with a senior UN official issuing a warning earlier this week that the region’s 2.1 million population is “facing ongoing and deadly Israeli strikes and dire humanitarian conditions”.
