Israel intercepts Gaza flotilla near Crete and detains 175 activists

Pro-Palestinian activists say 22 boats from a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza have been intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near the Greek island of Crete. The organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) denounced the action as "piracy", saying those on board were seized unlawfully more than 965km (600 miles) from Gaza, which is under an Israeli naval blockade. Israel's foreign ministry said about 175 activists were detained and dismissed the flotilla as a "PR stunt". Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said they would be "disembarked on a Greek beach" later on Thursday. The GSF's data showed most of the remaining 36 boats in the flotilla were currently close to Crete's south coast. 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. On Thursday, the GSF said Israeli naval forces had "intercepted, boarded, and systematically disabled and destroyed various boats" in the flotilla during a "violent raid in international waters" north-west of Crete overnight. "Over 180 civilians from around the world have been directly attacked," it added. "After detaining participants, smashing an