Sawt Falasteen - Activists on Gaza aid flotilla seized by Israeli forces disembark in Crete

Escorted by Greek coastguards, around 175 activists, the majority of them nationals of European countries, were taken by coach to the port of Atherinolakkos, in the southeast of the island before being moved to Heraklion, the main city in Crete.

As they approached the port, the activists chanted "Free Palestine", AFP saw.

Israel's foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 vessels on Thursday by its country's military. Flotilla organisers put the number of "kidnapped" activists at 211.

Spain demanded the immediate release of one of its citizens held by the Israeli authorities.

Turkey's foreign ministry said some 20 Turkish nationals in the flotilla who had been detained and taken to Crete would be repatriated. It said "certain participants from third countries" would also be sent to Turkey.

The flotilla comprising more than 50 vessels set sail in recent weeks from Marseille in France, Barcelona in Spain and Syracuse in Italy.

Its aim, according to the organisers, was to break the blockade of Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.

Israel controls all entry points to Gaza. It has been accused by the United Nations and foreign NGOs of strangling the flow of goods into the territory, causing shortages since the start of Israel's war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023.

The Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.

- 'Provocation' -

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein on Friday said: "All the flotilla activists are now in Greece except Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila."

In a post on X, the ministry called the flotilla "another provocation designed to divert attention from Hamas's refusal to disarm". It also said the flotilla was serving "professional provocateurs".

It said Keshek was "suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation" and that he and Avila, suspected of "illegal activity", would be brought to Israel for questioning.

Several European governments with nationals among those arrested have called on Israel to free the activists and called its action a flagrant contravention of international law.

Israel's closest ally, the United States, backed Israeli authorities by calling the flotilla a "stunt" and saying it expects allies to deny port access, docking, departure and refuelling to vessels participating in the flotilla.

A State Department spokesman said Washington was exploring imposing "consequences" on those who support the flotilla.

The war in Gaza, triggered by the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has led to severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel.

The boats in that flotilla were intercepted by Israel off the coasts of Egypt and the Gaza Strip in early October.

Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested and then expelled by Israel.

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L.AbuTayeh--SF-PST