Greek authorities launched a large-scale operation on Crete in the early hours of Friday, May 1, to manage the arrival of approximately 175 participants from the Global Sumud Flotilla, a multinational humanitarian mission intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off the island’s southern coast.
The activists — men and women of various nationalities, including Greeks — were seized by Israeli commandos aboard 22 of the flotilla’s 58 vessels while still some 965 kilometers (600 miles) from Gaza, which is under an Israeli naval blockade. The interception took place Thursday. Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla denounced the operation as “piracy,” saying those on board were detained unlawfully. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed the detentions, dismissing the flotilla as a “PR stunt” and saying the activists would be “disembarked on a Greek beach.”
Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla are disembarked at a port in Crete after Israeli military forces intercepted the fleet in international waters off Crete in the early hours of Thursday, April 30. Friday, May 1, 2026. (STEFANOS RAPANIS/EUROKINISSI)
Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla are disembarked at a port in Crete after Israeli military forces intercepted the fleet in international waters off Crete in the early hours of Thursday, April 30. Friday, May 1, 2026. (STEFANOS RAPANIS/EUROKINISSI)
Greece’s Foreign Ministry, responding late Thursday, called for restraint and respect for international law, including the Law of the Sea and International Humanitarian Law. Describing Greece as “a stabilizing factor in the region,” the ministry said it had urged Israel to withdraw its vessels from the area. Athens agreed to host the passengers on its territory and ensure their safe return home, offering its diplomatic assistance in resolving the situation. A ministry delegation traveled to the point of arrival to coordinate the actions of all competent Greek authorities and liaise with foreign consular services, which were duly notified.
According to local Cretan news outlet Nea Kriti, the participants are being transported aboard a landing ship to Atherinolakkos, a small settlement on Crete’s southern shore, where buses are waiting to transfer them onward. Their final destination is Heraklion, Crete’s largest city and regional capital, where they are expected to be temporarily housed before authorities coordinate their return to their respective home countries.
The operation involves substantial personnel drawn from across the island. The Hellenic Coast Guard, the Greek Police and other competent services are participating under continuous coordination by the relevant authorities.
The flotilla had set sail two weeks ago, with vessels departing from Spain, France and Italy in a bid to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. The remaining 36 boats were reported to be close to Crete’s southern coast at the time of writing.
The Global Sumud Flotilla — “sumud” is an Arabic word meaning steadfastness or resilience — is a multinational civilian initiative aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and drawing international attention to the Israeli naval blockade of the Palestinian territory. Israel controls all entry points to Gaza and has previously intercepted a flotilla organized by the same group in the autumn of 2025.
Atherinolakkos is a small coastal settlement on Crete’s southern coast, in the Heraklion regional unit.
