Israel releases all but two activists in Greece after intercepting Gaza aid flotilla

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Israel releases all but two activists in Greece after intercepting Gaza aid flotilla 17 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Ella Kipling Global Sumud Flotilla/Handout via Video showed activists raising their hands on board one of the vessels intercepted by Israeli forces All but two pro-Palestinian activists detained by Israeli forces after their flotilla headed for Gaza was intercepted in international waters have now been released in Greece. On Thursday, around 175 activists aboard 22 boats carrying aid were seized near the island of Crete. The organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) denounced the action as "piracy", saying members were seized unlawfully more than 965km (600 miles) from Gaza, which is under an Israeli naval blockade.

Israel's foreign ministry called the flotilla a "PR stunt". All the detained activists have disembarked in Crete, apart from two men who are being brought to Israel "for questioning", according to the Israeli government. Israel's foreign ministry said that one of the men, Saif Abu Keshek, was "suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation" and the other, Thiago Ávila, was "suspected of illegal activity".

The Details

Both men remain in Israeli custody. The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) called for the immediate release of Abu Keshek and Ávila. The group said: "We demand that all governments do all they can to pressure the Israeli regime to release all the illegal abductees.

" It confirmed that all other members of the captured flotilla boats had been released on the Greek island of Crete. Israel said about 175 people had been detained, while the GSF previously said "over 180 civilians from around the world have been directly attacked". Greek authorities had been preparing to receive people from the flotilla since the early hours of Friday morning.

The group - men and women of various nationalities, including some Greeks and Australians - is being transported by naval vessel to the southern coast of Crete, where they are expected to arrive at Atherinolakkos. Buses are waiting to take them onward. According to sources who spoke to the , their final destination is Heraklion, where they are expected to be temporarily accommodated before arrangements are made for their return to their home countries.

What Experts Say

On Thursday, the Greek foreign ministry said it had offered "diplomatic assistance" by agreeing to host the passengers and ensure their safe return home. The United States backed Israel's decision to intercept the boats, with State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott calling the aid flotilla a "meaningless political stunt". The flotilla set sail two weeks ago, with a total of 58 vessels joining from Spain, France and Italy, aiming to break Israel's blockade of Gaza.

The remaining 36 boats were close to Crete's southern coast on Friday.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.