Greece transferred 175 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla to Heraklion after they came ashore at the port of Atherinolakkos in southern Crete, following an Israeli military operation against Gaza-bound vessels in international waters off the island early Thursday, April 30.
The passengers, men and women of various nationalities, including Greek citizens, had joined a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid toward Gaza. After Israeli military forces intervened, a landing ship carried them to the southern coast of Crete, where buses awaited to continue their transfer.
Heraklion was their final destination. There, authorities planned to host them temporarily before launching procedures for their return to their countries of origin.
Greece coordinates transfer of flotilla activists on Crete
Greek authorities handled the arrival and transfer through a broad operation involving forces from across Crete. The Hellenic Coast Guard, the Greek Police, and other competent services took part in the operation, while authorities maintained continuous coordination throughout the process.
According to reports, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis spoke by phone on Thursday night with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, before the disembarkation process moved forward.
Flotilla activists say Israeli forces surrounded vessels off Crete
The Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli military forces intercepted the mission in international waters near Crete.
According to the organizers, military speedboats approached their vessels and identified themselves as Israeli. The flotilla said the forces pointed lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons at participants and ordered them to move to the front of the boats and get on their hands and knees.
In a social media post, the mission said Israeli military boats surrounded the flotilla in international waters and accused them of threatening kidnapping and violence. Organizers also said they had lost communication with fifteen vessels, while Israeli media reported that seven boats had been intercepted. The flotilla called on governments to act to protect the participants.
Greek Foreign Ministry cites international law
The Greek Foreign Ministry said it sent a delegation to the flotilla’s arrival point to coordinate the actions of all competent Greek authorities and work with foreign consular services.
In a statement issued Thursday night, the ministry called for restraint and full respect for international law, including the law of the sea and international humanitarian law, after the Israeli operation against vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Crete.
The ministry said Greece, acting as a factor of stability in the region and guided by international law and humanitarian considerations, asked Israel to withdraw its vessels from the area. Athens also offered its good offices by agreeing to receive the passengers on Greek territory and ensure their safe return to their home countries.
Greek authorities said they remained in contact with Israeli authorities regarding the safe disembarkation of the passengers in Greece. They also informed foreign consular authorities so they could proceed with their own actions.
Israel thanks Greece for receiving the passengers
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel had so far successfully prevented attempts to break what he described as the lawful naval blockade of Gaza.
In a social media post, Sa’ar said the people transferred from the flotilla vessels to an Israeli ship would disembark on a Greek shore in the following hours in coordination with the Greek government.
So far, Israel – through the IDF – has successfully blocked attempts to breach the lawful naval blockade on Gaza and the arrival of vessels from the provocative flotilla, including last night.
All participants in the provocative flotilla who were taken off the vessels were taken…— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) April 30, 2026
He thanked the Greek government for its willingness to receive the flotilla participants and said Israel would not allow the naval blockade of Gaza to be broken.
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