Overview
- The more than 170 activists intercepted late Wednesday near Crete were disembarked on the island Friday under Greek escort, with an AFP reporter seeing them moved by bus after leaving an Israeli naval vessel.
- Israel said two organizers, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila, will be taken to Israel for questioning, alleging a terror affiliation for the former and unspecified illegal activity for the latter.
- Israeli forces halted about 22 of 58 boats during a night operation in international waters, while participants reported lasers aimed at crews, orders to kneel, and radio jamming as several vessels were boarded.
- Italy condemned the seizures and pressed for its citizens’ release, the EU urged respect for maritime and humanitarian law, Greece mediated the transfer to Crete, and Turkey called the operation piracy.
- Israel maintains a naval blockade of Gaza dating to 2007, which it argues is legal; flotilla organizers dispute that, are compiling video and legal files on alleged damage and unlawful seizure, and say more challenges could follow.