The Israeli Navy intercepted a flotilla of activists attempting to deliver supplies to the Gaza Strip and detained more than 175 activists in international waters near the Greek island of Crete.
On 30 Apr 2026 GMT+7, a Palestinian activist group reported that 22 ships from a flotilla carrying aid to the Gaza Strip were intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters near the Greek island of Crete, with over 175 activists detained.
The organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), aiming to aid Palestinians and oppose Israel's blockade of Gaza, condemned the interception as maritime piracy, stating that those onboard were unlawfully detained over 965 kilometers from the Gaza Strip.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said about 175 activists were detained and described the flotilla as merely "a publicity stunt." Gideon Saar, the Israeli Foreign Minister, said these individuals would be "taken ashore on a Greek beach" by Thursday.
GSF data shows that the remaining 36 ships in the flotilla are mostly near the southern coast of Crete at present.
The GSF flotilla set sail two weeks ago, comprising 58 vessels from Spain, France, and Italy, with the goal of breaching Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.
On Thursday, GSF reported that the Israeli Navy had "intercepted, boarded, and damaged the communication systems as well as several ships" during a "violent raid in international waters" northwest of Crete the previous night.
"After detaining participants, destroying engines, and disrupting communications, the Israeli forces withdrew, leaving behind abducted participants or deliberately abandoning civilians on powerless, damaged vessels directly in the path of an approaching major storm," GSF stated.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Due to the large number of vessels involved in this flotilla and the risk of escalation, along with the need to enforce the legally authorized blockade, preemptive action was necessary."
"The operation took place peacefully in international waters with no casualties. Initial vessel inspections found materials resembling drugs and contraceptive devices," the ministry added.
Furthermore, the ministry accused the flotilla organizers of "collaboration" with Hamas, the Palestinian armed group, "aimed at disrupting President Trump's Gaza peace plan as it transitions into its second phase, intending to divert attention from Hamas' refusal to disarm."
Later, the ministry also stated that the flotilla deliberately attempted to obstruct Israeli commercial ships.
Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis previously stated that Israeli warships were outside Greek territorial waters during the interception and that there was no prior consultation between Israeli and Greek authorities.
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Source:bbc