Gaza aid flotilla participants detained by Israel disembark in Crete

Dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Crete have disembarked on the Greek island, an AFP journalist has seen.

Escorted by Greek coast guards, some 175 activists are taken in four buses to a town whose name is not disclosed by the authorities.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats yesterday. Flotilla organisers put the number at 211.

“In coordination with the Greek government, the individuals transferred from the flotilla vessels to the Israeli vessel will be disembarked along the Greek coast in the coming hours,” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar wrote on X last night, thanking Greece “for its willingness to receive the flotilla participants.”