Activists say Israeli forces intercepted their Gaza aid flotilla near the southern Greek island of Crete early Thursday, April 30, 2026, detaining crew members. The flotilla, which set sail earlier this month from Barcelona, was attempting to break Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza.
A black-and-white CCTV footage shows members on the flotilla boat with hands in the air as Israeli forces intervened. The Global Sumud Flotilla, via the Associated Press, released the footage.
Background of the Flotilla
The flotilla, organized by pro-Palestinian activists, aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007. This was not the first such attempt; previous flotillas have been intercepted, leading to international incidents.
Reactions and Statements
Israeli officials have not yet commented on the interception. Activists condemned the action, calling it a violation of international law. The Greek coast guard was reportedly alerted but did not intervene.
The incident occurs amid ongoing tensions in the region, with the Israel-Hamas war continuing. The flotilla's interception is likely to spark further debate on the legality and humanitarian impact of the blockade.
