Heads of Gaza-bound aid flotilla taken to Israel for questioning, others released to Greek custody

The reported leaders of a flotilla attempting to break the maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip are to be taken to Israel for questioning, while 175 other participants were to be released, Israeli officials said Friday.

The detained organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla were identified as Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila. Mr. Keshek is suspected of being affiliated with a terrorist organization, while Mr. Avila is “suspected of illegal activity,” Israel’s foreign ministry said.

The Israeli Navy intercepted the flotilla of almost 60 boats from late Wednesday to early Thursday off the coast of Crete, hundreds of nautical miles from Israel.

“Israel will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” officials said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the activists were not harmed while in custody.

“We thank the Greek government for its willingness to receive the flotilla participants,” Mr. Sa’ar said. “We call on anyone who is not interested in provocations but rather in humanitarian aid to Gaza to do so through” the U.S.-led Board of Peace.

The Board of Peace, known as BoP, was established to oversee the reconstruction and transitional governance of the Gaza Strip following the two-year war.

U.S. officials on Thursday called the Global Sumud Flotilla a “pro-Hamas initiative” and a “baseless, counterproductive effort” to undermine ongoing peace negotiations.

“This pro-Hamas flotilla is organized by an [U.S. Treasury]-sanctioned entity, the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, which was designated as a … global terrorist in January for operating at Hamas’ behest,” State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott said in a statement.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani accused Israel of committing a “brazen violation of international law” after it boarded flotilla vessels operating in international waters. He said “several” New Yorkers were believed to be among 175 flotilla activists taken into custody.

“My team has been in direct contact with state and federal partners as we work to confirm the whereabouts and conditions of these New Yorkers,” he said on X. “Those detained must be released.”