The Greek Foreign Ministry on Thursday confirmed that 27 Greeks taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla mission bound for war-torn Gaza are in “good health and there is no indication that violence has been used against them,” after Israeli forces intercepted several vessels.
Greece, the ministry said in an announcement, “has lodged demarches with the Israeli side both in recent days and today, raising the issue of protecting the Greek citizens taking part in the mission.
“In cooperation with other countries whose citizens are participating in the mission and are now in Israel, the necessary steps will be taken with the Israeli authorities, and consular assistance will be provided,” it said.
According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the flotilla’s vessels are being escorted by Israeli ships to the port of Ashdod, “where registration and deportation procedures for those on board will follow,” the Greek ministry added.
The Greek ambassador in Tel Aviv is headed to the location where the Greek nationals are being held, it said.
Israeli forces storm Gaza-bound flotilla
Israel’s navy boarded vessels aiming to break the country’s blockade of Gaza, detaining dozens of people, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The military says just one vessel is yet to be halted.
Flotilla organizers labeled Israel’s interception of the ships “an illegal attack” on humanitarians, while Israel said the activists were “not interested in aid, but in provocation.”
The flotilla set sail with more than 500 participants from dozens of countries aiming to deliver food, water and medicine to civilians in Gaza, which is facing a humanitarian crisis amid Israel’s offensive.
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