Israel intercepts Gaza flotilla near Crete and detains 175 activists
Pro-Palestinian activists say 22 boats carrying aid for Gaza were illegally intercepted in international waters near the Greek island.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"I demand Israel immediately release all the unlawfully detained Italians."
— Giorgia Meloni , Politician
"The spirits on board are high, we are determined to keep doing what we can to support the ending of Israel's illegal siege on Gaza."
— Tariq Ra'ouf , Activist
"It is surprising how far we are from Gaza."
— Tariq Ra’ouf , Activist
"If you, as a Swede, choose to participate in the flotilla, you are taking a conscious risk."
— Maria Malmer Stenergard , Politician
"The flotilla had been 'organised by the Hamas terror organisation, in cooperation with additional international organisations.'"
— Israel Katz , Politician
"We calls on Israel to immediately release all the unlawfully detained Italians."
— Giorgia Meloni , Politician
"All participants in the provocative flotilla who were taken off the vessels were taken off unharmed."
— Gideon Saar , Politician
"How on earth is possible that Israel is allowed to assault and seize vessels in international waters just off Greece/Europe?"
— Francesca Albanese , Academic
"50 ships were sailing off the Peloponnese coast towards Crete, and had been shadowed by vessels of the Israeli navy and Greek coastguard."
— Pavlos Marinakis , Politician
Key People
Anouar El Anouni is a spokesman for the European Union foreign affairs.
Foreign Minister of Italy who criticized the IPC's decision.
Greek centre-left opposition politician calling for government action.
UN special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza.
Gideon Saar is the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Giorgia Meloni is the Premier of Italy.
A flotilla organized by pro-Palestinian activists to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israel Katz is the Defense Minister of Israel.
Maria Malmer Stenergard is the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Greek government spokesman.
Paris Communist municipal councillor.
Palestinian-American writer and activist supporting Gaza.
An activist aboard one of the vessels who spoke about the Israeli interception.
Tags
All Coverage
Pro-Palestinian activists say 22 boats carrying aid for Gaza were illegally intercepted in international waters near the Greek island.
Israeli forces intercepted over 20 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla near Crete as the group attempted to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. About 175 activists were detained and are set to be transported to Greece, in coordination with Greek authorities.
Israeli forces intercepted and detained the crews of at least 22 boats near the Greek island of Crete from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to break Israel’s maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid.
Activists trying to break Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza said Israeli forces intercepted 22 vessels of their flotilla near the Greek island of Crete and detained their crews. The Global Sumud Flotilla claimed that Israeli military vessels had 'illegally surrounded the flotilla' and threatened those on board.
Over 20 ships and around 175 activists part of a Gaza-bound flotilla were intercepted by the Israeli Navy on Wednesday night. The flotilla was intercepted early in transit due to the large numbers of vessels participating and the risk of escalation, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Israeli naval forces intercepted 22 ships and arrested 175 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest-ever humanitarian mission bound for Gaza. The operation took place in international waters near Crete, with Israeli authorities claiming to have found drugs on board.
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