Greece’s foreign ministry on Thursday evening called on Israel to withdraw its naval vessels from the sea region west of Crete where more than 20 vessels of the so-called “Global Sumud Flotilla” were intercepted overnight.

Israeli forces halted and boarded the boats that pro-Palestinian activists said were carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza enclave, the Greek foreign ministry stated.

In a statement issued late Thursday, the ministry said Athens acted “on the basis of international law and for humanitarian reasons,” requesting Israel’s disengagement from the area and offering assistance to those on board the boat in the flotilla.

“Greece, as a factor of stability in the region, requested that Israel withdraw its ships from the area and offered its good offices by undertaking to receive those on board on its territory and to ensure the safe return to their countries,” the ministry said.

A foreign ministry delegation is heading to the expected arrival point to coordinate with relevant local agencies and foreign consular authorities. The “arrival point” has not been announced so far, although geographical considerations point to Crete due to its proximity and presence of international airports.

Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said in a post that, in coordination with the Greek government, individuals transferred from the flotilla vessels to an Israeli ship would be brought ashore in Greece in the coming hours. He thanked Athens for its willingness to receive them.