Activists claim “violent raid” in international waters; boats disabled and stranded…
Israel: Action was “peaceful” and required to stop Hamas-backed “sabotage”…
Turkey condemns “act of piracy”; Hamas calls for release of detained crews…
Flotilla included European lawmakers and activists; communication jammed during raid…
Activists say Israeli forces intercepted Gaza aid flotilla near Crete, detaining crews
“According to the ships’ tracker published on the activist group’s website, 22 vessels were intercepted in international waters west of the southern Greek island of Crete, while a further 36 were still sailing midday on Thursday.”
Israel detains 20 Turkish activists on Global Sumud Flotilla vessels
“The Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed Thursday that 20 Turkish activists were among those detained after Israeli forces seized 21 flotilla vessels in international waters off the coast of Crete.
Israeli forces surrounded the boats off the coast of the Greek island of Crete late Wednesday and carried out a raid, detaining more than 170 activists on board, the Turkish delegation told Türkiye’s state-run Anadolu Agency (AA).
The detained Turkish nationals are as follows: Mustafa Enes Topal, Muhammed Ozdem, Ali Deniz, Yunus Kava, Sahin Yaslik, Mustafa Arslan, Abdulselam Demir, Nevzat Oylek, Nevzat Guzel, Halil Erdogmus, Abdullatif Fasli, Huseyin Suayb Ordu, Mahmut Akay, Gorkem Duru, Mehmet Atli, Mukremin Kose, Ramazan Tekdemir, Mahmut Cagatay Yavuz, Huseyin Oral, and Omer Osman Tastan.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said approximately 175 activists from more than 20 boats were “making their way to Israel,” while 17 vessels managed to escape and enter Greek territorial waters.”
Approximately 175 activists from more than 20 boats of the condom flotilla are now making their way peacefully to Israel.
In the video: the activists enjoying themselves aboard Israeli vessels pic.twitter.com/0sz8kDpKLX
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 30, 2026