Israel Says Activists From Intercepted Gaza-Bound Flotilla Will Be Taken to Greece

Gaza flotilla. Credit: Tan Safi

Israel said connected Thursday that activists intercepted astatine oversea portion attempting to scope the Gaza Strip volition beryllium taken to Greece to disembark, aft the Israeli navy stopped a flotilla successful planetary waters within Greece’s exclusive economical portion adjacent the land of Crete.

The vessels were portion of a flotilla attempting to present humanitarian assistance to Gaza, challenging Israel’s long-standing blockade. Israeli authorities said naval forces boarded much than 20 boats and removed dozens of activists.

Greece to person the group

The overseas ministry reported that astir 175 radical were taken from the vessels, portion organizers gave a higher fig of 211, including a subordinate of the Paris metropolis council.

In a connection connected X, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar said those transferred to the Israeli vas would beryllium brought to a Greek formation wrong hours. He said the determination was coordinated with Athens and thanked the Greek authorities for agreeing to person the group.

So far, Israel – done the IDF – has successfully blocked attempts to breach the lawful naval blockade connected Gaza and the accomplishment of vessels from the provocative flotilla, including past night.
All participants successful the provocative flotilla who were taken disconnected the vessels were taken…

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) April 30, 2026

European governments and activists react

Activists and European governments reacted quickly. One of those connected committee accused Israel of forcibly detaining participants, saying her colleagues had been “kidnapped.”

Italy and Germany said they were pursuing the concern with “deep concern,” portion Spain condemned the seizure and summoned Israel’s complaint d’affaires.

France said 15 of its nationals were detained, and Italy called for the merchandise of its citizens, with section media reporting 24 Italians among those held. Organizers said those intercepted included Paris metropolis councilor Raphaelle Primet.

Interception confirmed acold from Gaza

Agence France-Presse said tracking information confirmed the interception occurred wrong Greece’s exclusive economical zone. Organizers said the cognition took spot much than 1,000 kilometers from Gaza, acold beyond erstwhile incidents, which had reached astir 185 kilometers.

Around 30 boats stay en route, astir sailing successful Greek waters southbound of Crete.

Conflicting claims implicit cargo

There were conflicting claims astir the cargo. Israel’s overseas ministry said “drugs” were recovered connected immoderate vessels and released footage showing activists appearing relaxed aboard an Israeli ship. Activists rejected the claim.

🇮🇱🇬🇷 — JUST IN: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that the Gaza flotilla activists volition beryllium brought ashore successful Greece wrong hours.

• Sa’ar said the determination was coordinated with the Greek authorities and thanked Athens for agreeing to person the activists, aft Israel… pic.twitter.com/FGV7gWvgJ0

— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) April 30, 2026

Flotilla sets sail from aggregate European ports

The flotilla, made up of much than 50 vessels, departed successful caller weeks from ports including Marseille, Barcelona, and Syracuse.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said aboriginal involution was indispensable to forestall a breach of what Israel calls a lawful blockade and to trim the hazard of escalation.

Rights groups and the UN knock the blockade

Rights groups criticized the move. Amnesty International described the interception arsenic “brazen.” Its director, Erika Guevara Rosas, said the cognition showed the grade of Israel’s efforts to enforce the blockade.

Israel has controlled entree to the Gaza Strip since 2007, erstwhile Hamas took power. The blockade has been wide criticized by the United Nations and assistance groups, which accidental restrictions person contributed to shortages of food, water, and medicine during the warfare that began successful October 2023. A ceasefire reached past twelvemonth eased fighting, but humanitarian conditions stay fragile.