Israel condemned for seizure of Gaza-bound aid flotilla
IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS
01.05.2026, dpa
Germany, Italy and Spain were among countries that condemned Israel's seizure of an international flotilla carrying aid for the Gaza Strip in international waters off the coast of Greece and the detention of dozens of humanitarian activists.
The governments in Rome and Berlin on Thursday called on Israel to fully respect international law and "for restraint from irresponsible actions." Germany and Italy were following "with great concern developments" regarding the flotilla, they said.
At the same time, Berlin and Rome defended the international community’s efforts to "provide humanitarian aid to Gaza in accordance with international law and standards." Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also demanded the "immediate" release of all Italians "unlawfully detained." Both Italian and German citizens are on board.
In a separate joint statement, 11 countries including Spain and Turkey said "the unlawful detention of humanitarian activists in international waters constitute flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law."
The 11 countries called on the Israeli authorities "to take the necessary measures" to ensure the immediate release of the detained activists, condemning "in the strongest terms the Israeli assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla."
The Turkish Foreign Ministry earlier had called the attack on the flotilla an “act of piracy” in violation of humanitarian values and international law.
Israel has said its navy has intercepted more than 20 vessels from the flotilla west of Crete, roughly 1,000 kilometres from Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said around 175 activists were being transported to Israel "peacefully."
The ministry said that Israel acted after the flotilla "actively attempted to block an Israeli merchant vessel," according to the Times of Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the detained activists would be brought ashore in Greece in coordination with the government in Athens, which the minister said agreed to it. All activists were taken off the vessels "unharmed," Sa'ar added.
Greece later said it had "urged Israel to withdraw its vessels from the area and offered its diplomatic assistance by agreeing to host the passengers on its territory and ensure their safe return to their home countries."
"The Greek Authorities are in consultation with the Israeli Authorities regarding safe disembarkation in Greece," the Foreign Ministry in Athens said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the aid group described the operation in a post on X as "a violent raid in international waters."
Activists said Israeli speedboats approached the flotilla at night, with soldiers allegedly pointing lasers and semi-automatic weapons at the vessels. People onboard were reportedly ordered to assemble at the bow and kneel.
The group alleged that naval forces boarded multiple boats, "smashing engines" and "intentionally leaving hundreds of civilians stranded on powerless, broken vessels" as a storm approached. Communications were also reportedly disrupted.
More ships heading toward the Gaza Strip
Dozens of vessels carrying activists from multiple countries set sail from Sicily on Sunday toward the Gaza Strip in what organizers described as the largest flotilla yet attempting to reach the embattled Palestinian territory.
The activists aim to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007 and supported by Egypt, and to deliver humanitarian supplies to the territory.
They also say they are seeking to push for the establishment of a permanent humanitarian corridor.
Some of the flotilla's ships are continuing their journey following the incident on Wednesday night. Several boats were moving along the coast of Crete within Greek territorial waters late on Thursday, as shown by data from the online tracker of the flotilla's organizers and the Marine Traffic vessel tracking system.
The aid flotilla initially made no statements regarding its future plans. The organizers continue to accuse Israel of using violent force. Israel insists that the action against the flotilla is in accordance with international law.
Israel accused the organizers of the latest flotilla of collaborating with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which still controls around half of the coastal strip.
Activists on Gaza aid flotilla detained by Israel disembark in Crete
Athens (AFP) – Dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Crete disembarked on Friday in the Greek island, an AFP journalist saw.
Issued on: 01/05/2026 - FRANCE24
Escorted by Greek coastguards, around 175 activists, the majority of them nationals of European countries, were taken in four coaches to the port of Atherinolakkos, in the southeast of the island.
As they approached the port, the activists chanted "Free Palestine," AFP saw.
Israel's foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 vessels on Thursday. Flotilla organisers put the number at 211.
Turkey's foreign ministry said some 20 Turkish nationals in the flotilla who had been grabbed by the Israeli forces and taken to Crete would be repatriated. It said "certain participants from third countries" would also be sent to Turkey.
The flotilla comprising more than 50 vessels set sail in recent weeks from Marseille in France, Barcelona in Spain and Syracuse in Italy.
Its aim, according to the organisers, was to break the blockade of Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
Israel controls all entry points to Gaza. It has been accused by the United Nations and foreign NGOs of strangling the flow of goods into the territory, causing shortages since the start of Israel's war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023.
The Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein on Friday said: "All the flotilla activists are now in Greece except Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila."
In a post on X, the ministry called the flotilla "another provocation designed to divert attention from Hamas's refusal to disarm". It also said the flotilla was serving "professional provocateurs".
It said Keshek was "suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation" and that he and Avila, suspected of "illegal activity", would be brought to Israel for questioning.
Several European governments with nationals among those arrested have called on Israel to free the activists and called its action a flagrant contravention of international law.
But the United States backed Israeli authorities, calling the flotilla a "stunt" and saying it expects allies to deny port access, docking, departure and refueling to vessels 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 the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has led to severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel.
In the summer and autumn of 2025, a first voyage by the Global Sumud Flotilla across the Mediterranean towards Gaza drew worldwide attention.
The boats in that flotilla were intercepted by Israel off the coasts of Egypt and the Gaza Strip in early October.
Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested and then expelled by Israel.
burs-pdw/
© 2026 AFP
Gaza aid flotilla reaches Crete after Israel intercepts vessels
01.05.2026, dpa
Around 30 vessels from the flotilla seeking to bring aid to Gaza have reached Crete, tracking data showed on Friday, after Israel intercepted some of the ships earlier this week, sparking international condemnation.
Parts of the Global Sumud Flotilla have entered the bay of Ierapetra, a port town in south-eastern Crete, according to tracking site Marine Traffic and the flotilla's online tracking tool.
It was initially unclear how long the activists would remain in Ierapetra, but Greek media reported that they have been brought to the small port of Atherinolakos on the south-eastern edge of Crete, from where they are to travel on to the island's administrative capital Heraklion.
Dozens of vessels carrying activists from multiple countries set sail from Sicily on Sunday toward the Gaza Strip in what organizers described as the largest flotilla yet attempting to reach the embattled Palestinian territory.
On Thursday, Israel said its navy had intercepted more than 20 vessels from the flotilla west of Crete, roughly 1,000 kilometres from Israel, with around 175 activists arrested. The Global Sumud Flotilla described the operation as "a violent raid in international waters."
The move sparked strong criticism including from Germany, Italy and Spain.
Greece said it was ready to take in those arrested to enable them to travel home.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that two activists were being brought to Israel for questioning, with one man suspected of having ties to a terrorist organization. The second person is accused of carrying out "illegal activities," the ministry said, without giving further details.
It was also unclear how they would be brought to Israel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla had previously told dpa upon request that its vessels had reached safe waters and were currently regrouping.
The group said it was fully prepared to continue its journey "to break the illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip."
US condemns 'pro-Hamas' aid flotilla, threatens supporters
01.05.2026, dpa
The United States on Thursday condemned an international flotilla attempting to carry aid to the Gaza Strip, calling it a "pro-Hamas initiative" attempting to undermine President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Middle East.
Dozens of vessels carrying activists from multiple countries set sail from Sicily on Sunday toward the Gaza Strip in what organizers described as the largest flotilla yet attempting to reach the embattled Palestinian territory.
The Israeli Navy has said it intercepted more than 20 vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla west of Crete, roughly 1,000 kilometres from Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said around 175 activists were being transported to Israel "peacefully."
Countries including Germany, Italy and Spain condemned Israel for seizing the vessels in international waters and called for international law and standards to be respected.
The US Department of State, meanwhile, condemned "the Global Sumud Flotilla, a pro-Hamas initiative and a baseless, counterproductive effort to undermine President Trump’s Peace Plan."
Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said that the flotilla is organized by "the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, which was designated as a specially designated global terrorist in January for operating at Hamas’ behest."
Pigott went on to say that "the United States expects all our allies, particularly those who have committed to supporting President Trump’s successful 20-Point Plan [for demilitarizing Gaza], to take decisive action against this meaningless political stunt by denying port access, docking, departure, and refueling to vessels participating in the flotilla."
Since a ceasefire was declared in October last year, Israel has controlled around half of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas has largely re-established control in the remainder. Disarmament of Hamas under a US-led peace plan has not been implemented.
Israel intercepts Gaza-bound aid flotilla, detains 175 activists
30.04.2026,
The Israeli navy has intercepted more than 20 vessels from an international aid flotilla bound for Gaza off the coast of the Greek island of Crete and detained dozens of activists, authorities said on Thursday.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said around 175 activists were being transported to Israel “peacefully."
Meanwhile, the group calling itself the "Global Sumud Flotilla" described the operation in a post on X as "a violent raid in international waters."
The group alleged that naval forces boarded multiple boats, "smashing engines" and "intentionally leaving hundreds of civilians stranded on powerless, broken vessels" as a storm approached. Communications were also reportedly disrupted.
The interception took place west of Crete, roughly 1,000 kilometres from Israel. While an intervention had been anticipated, the timing and location reportedly came as a surprise. Israeli media said the flotilla was stopped early due to its size.
The Israeli military provided only a brief statement, saying it was enforcing the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, which it says is in place for security reasons. It added that it was acting under instructions from Israel's political leadership.
Activists said Israeli speedboats approached the flotilla at night, with soldiers allegedly pointing lasers and semi-automatic weapons at the vessels. People onboard were reportedly ordered to assemble at the bow and kneel.
Dozens of vessels carrying activists from multiple countries set sail from Sicily on Sunday toward the Gaza Strip in what organizers described as the largest flotilla yet attempting to reach the coastal enclave.
The activists aim to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007 and supported by Egypt, and to deliver humanitarian supplies to the territory.
They also say they are seeking to push for the establishment of a permanent humanitarian corridor.
Israel has previously blocked similar attempts to breach the blockade. During an earlier effort last year, Israeli special forces boarded the largely privately owned sail and motorboats making up the flotilla and prevented them from reaching Gaza.
Israel accused the organizers of the latest flotilla of collaborating with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which still controls around half of the coastal strip.
The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem spoke of “professional provocateurs” and accused them of seeking to sabotage the transition to the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, diverting attention from Hamas’s refusal to lay down its arms.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry called the attack on the flotilla an “act of piracy” in violation of humanitarian values and international law.
Amnesty International official Erika Guevara Rosas said it was "appalling that activists participating in a peaceful solidarity mission to break Israel's unlawful blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver medical supplies to people facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis - deliberately imposed by Israel - have been arbitrarily detained once again."
Despite the raid, several ships from the flotilla were believed to be continuing their journey on Thursday, according to data from the organizers' online tracker and the Marine Traffic vessel tracking system.
There were initially no statements from the organizers regarding the further plans of the ships participating in the flotilla.
Greece describes events
A government spokesman in Athens said the Greek coastguard's search and rescue command centre received a distress signal from a vessel in international waters more than 60 nautical miles west of Crete.
A coastguard patrol boat was immediately dispatched. During radio contact, the captains of the vessel in question and other nearby ships stated that there was no danger and that they “neither required assistance nor wished for support from the Greek authorities,” the spokesman added on Greek television.
The coastguard also noted that 17 boats had been abandoned by their crews and were drifting in the region. The salvage of the vessels would begin shortly, with further details to be provided in due course, government sources in Athens added.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, those arrested are to be taken to Greece in the coming hours.
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