Overview
- Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla near Crete late Wednesday, detaining about 175 people from roughly 21–22 boats.
- After a Thursday arrangement with Athens, Israel disembarked the detainees on Greek territory, while Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila remain in custody for transfer to Israel for questioning.
- Organizers said fast boats identified as Israeli pointed lasers and guns at passengers, forced them to kneel, and disabled engines and navigation systems, leaving some vessels adrift ahead of a forecast storm.
- Several remaining boats are anchored or moving along southern Crete as crews report lost contact with some vessels and coordinate searches for missing boats.
- Spain summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires and activated consular support for about 30–31 Spaniards, while rights groups and several governments challenge the legality of an interception carried out in international waters.