Image@ BBC
Most of the pro-Palestinian activists detained by Israeli forces after their flotilla was intercepted in international waters have been released, with only two individuals remaining in custody. Yesterday, approximately 175 activists aboard 22 vessels carrying humanitarian aid were apprehended near the island of Crete.
The organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) condemned the seizure as “piracy,” asserting that participants were unlawfully taken more than 965 kilometers (600 miles) from Gaza, which is subject to an Israeli naval blockade.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the flotilla as a “publicity stunt.”
All detained activists have been disembarked in Crete, except for two men who are being transported to Israel “for questioning,” according to the Israeli government.
One of the detained individuals, Saif Abu Keshek, is reportedly “suspected of ties to a terrorist organization,” while the other, Thiago Ávila, is “suspected of engaging in illegal activities.” Both remain in Israeli custody.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has called for the immediate release of Abu Keshek and Ávila, demanding that governments exert pressure on Israel to release all those unlawfully detained. The group confirmed that all other members from the intercepted flotilla have been released on the Greek island.
Israeli authorities stated that around 175 individuals were detained, while the GSF claimed that “over 180 civilians from various countries were directly attacked.”
Greek officials had been preparing to receive members of the flotilla since early Friday morning. The group, comprising men and women from diverse nationalities including Greeks and Australians, is being transported by naval vessel to Crete’s southern coast, expected to arrive at Atherinolakkos. Buses are arranged to take them onward.
According to sources speaking to the BBC, their final destination will be Heraklion, where they will be temporarily housed before arrangements for their return to their home countries are finalized.
The Greek Foreign Ministry yesterday announced it had provided “diplomatic assistance” by agreeing to host the passengers and ensure their safe return.
The United States supported Israel’s decision to intercept the vessels, with State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott labeling the aid flotilla a “politically insignificant stunt.”
The flotilla set sail two weeks prior, with a total of 58 vessels departing from Spain, France, and Italy, aiming to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The remaining 36 boats were nearing Crete’s southern coast on Friday.
The GSF reported that Israeli naval forces “intercepted, boarded, and systematically disabled and destroyed several boats” during a “violent raid in international waters” northwest of Crete on Thursday.
”After detaining participants and damaging an engine while jamming communications, the Israeli forces retreated, abducting participants or intentionally abandoning civilians on powerless, damaged vessels directly in the path of an impending storm,” the group stated.
Israel maintains that its actions are in accordance with international law. The Israeli Foreign Ministry asserted that “due to the large number of vessels involved in the flotilla and the risk of escalation, as well as the need to uphold a lawful blockade, prompt action was necessary.”
”The operation was conducted peacefully in international waters without any casualties. An initial inspection of the vessels revealed materials that appeared to be drugs and contraceptives,” it added.
The ministry accused the organizers of the flotilla of “collaborating” with the Palestinian militant group Hamas to undermine President Trump’s Gaza peace plan as it transitioned into its second phase, and aimed to distract from Hamas’s refusal to disarm.
Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni also called for the immediate release of “all unlawfully detained Italians” by Israel.
Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, stated that his government was taking “all necessary measures to protect and assist the detained Spaniards,” while also accusing Israel of “breaching international law.”
Israel had previously intercepted another flotilla organized by the GSF last October, arresting and subsequently deporting over 470 individuals onboard, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
According to the GSF, the current flotilla’s goals are to “contest Israel’s unlawful blockade, promote the establishment of a permanent humanitarian corridor, and escalate coordinated international pressure on governments and corporations complicit in its enforcement.”
Cogat, the Israeli Defense Agency overseeing Gaza’s land crossings, stated that Israel is enabling aid entry into Gaza and that there are “no restrictions on the volume of aid that can be delivered.”
Earlier this week, a senior UN official reported that Gaza’s 2.1 million residents are “enduring continuous and lethal Israeli strikes and severe humanitarian conditions,” despite “some advancements in access and aid distribution.”
”Food security continues to be a significant concern, while essential services, particularly water, sanitation, and health, are once again on the verge of collapse,” said UN Assistant Secretary General, Khaled Khiari, during a Security Council session.
Last August, experts from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed that famine conditions existed in Gaza City.
In December, they indicated improvements in nutrition and food availability following a ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October as part of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace initiative. However, around 100,000 individuals were still experiencing catastrophic conditions, a number projected to decrease to 1,900 by mid-April.
The Gaza conflict was ignited by a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals taken hostage.
In retaliation, Israel initiated a military operation against Hamas in Gaza, during which over 72,600 individuals have lost their lives, including 824 since the ceasefire began, according to the health ministry run by Hamas in the territory.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong