Israel intercepts Gaza flotilla, 'kidnapped' 211

ATHENS, Apr 30: Organisers of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla said Thursday that Israeli naval forces intercepted and detained activists aboard dozens of vessels in waters off Greece, in an operation that has sharply escalated tensions over efforts to challenge Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, a coalition of pro-Palestinian groups, said its convoy of more than 50 boats had been "illegally surrounded" by Israeli military vessels near the island of Crete, far from the Gaza coast. The ships had departed in recent weeks from ports including Marseille, Barcelona and Syracuse.

"At least 22 of the flotilla's 58 boats have been stormed by Israeli forces in complete violation of international law," the organisation said in a statement, adding that communications with multiple vessels were lost after what it described as electronic jamming.

A spokeswoman for Global Sumud France, Helene Coron, told an online news conference that 211 activists had been "kidnapped" in the operation, including several French nationals such as Paris city councillorRaphaellePrimet. She said the flotilla included participants from 48 delegations.

The boats were reportedly carrying humanitarian supplies, including food and school materials, intended for Gaza, where aid access remains tightly restricted.

The incident follows a similar attempt in late 2025, when another flotilla organised by the same network was intercepted by Israeli forces near Egypt and Gaza. That operation, which included prominent activists such as Greta Thunberg, drew international criticism, with rights groups including Amnesty International calling it unlawful. Participants were arrested and later expelled.    �"AFP