Israel intercepts and detains crews of Gaza aid flotilla near Crete

Israeli forces have intercepted and detained the crews of at least 22 boats near the Greek island of Crete from a flotilla that is attempting to break Israel’s maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of about 58 vessels carrying people from across 70 countries, departed from Italy on Sunday.

Flotilla organisers said in a press release: “Israel’s actions … mark a dangerous and unprecedented escalation, the abduction of civilians in the middle of the Mediterranean, over 600 miles from Gaza, in full view of the world.”

Israel’s foreign ministry said the IDF had taken control of more than 20 boats with about 175 activists onboard. According to a live tracker on the flotilla’s website, 22 boats have been intercepted so far, while 36 vessels are still sailing.

In footage released by flotilla organisers, an Israeli navy officer is heard urging the activists to alter their course. The officer said: “If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, you may do so through established and recognised channels. Please change course and return to the port of origin. If you are carrying humanitarian aid, you are invited to proceed to the port of Ashdod.”

Vessel during a symbolic sendoff for the Global Sumud Flotilla in Barcelona earlier this month. Photograph: Joan Mateu Parra/AP

The Global Sumud Flotilla responded in a statement on social media: “Same script, different year. The Israeli navy thinks a radio warning can drown out the cries for justice.”

The flotilla described the interception as a “violent raid in international waters”. In a social media post, the group said that “after smashing engines and destroying navigation arrays, the military retreated – intentionally leaving hundreds of civilians stranded on powerless, broken vessels directly in the path of a massive approaching storm”.

It also said the vessels’ communications had been jammed, hindering them from signalling for help. Asked by Agence France-Presse about the accusations, the Israeli military declined to comment.

Helene Coron, a spokesperson for Global Sumud France, told an online news conference that the operation had taken place at an “unprecedented” distance from Israel, and that those intercepted included a Paris Communist municipal councillor, Raphaelle Primet, and another 10 French nationals.