Greece has filed a formal diplomatic protest with Israel after Israeli naval forces intercepted and boarded civilian vessels in international waters carrying Greek nationals as part of a humanitarian aid flotilla attempting to reach blockaded Gaza, with Athens condemning the conduct of Israeli officials as "unacceptable and utterly reprehensible."
Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis ordered the demarche, directing it in part at Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose conduct toward activists drew specific condemnation. Mr. Gerapetritis called on Israeli authorities to immediately expedite administrative procedures and release all detained Greek citizens.
The Foreign Ministry said it is tracking the whereabouts and physical condition of the activists amid allegations of mistreatment during the naval boarding.
The "Global Sumud Flotilla" — a convoy of civilian vessels carrying medical supplies, food and human rights activists — was encircled and boarded by Israeli warships in international waters before being diverted to Israeli processing facilities.
The interception is the latest attempt by international activists to challenge Israel's long-running naval blockade of Gaza.
Released participants from the flotilla were demonstrating on Crete to demand the freedom of crew members still held by Israeli authorities, according to reports from the island.
The incident has deepened European scrutiny of Israel's extraterritorial enforcement of the Gaza blockade.
Athens warned that the protection of unarmed civilian volunteers in international waters constitutes a binding obligation under maritime law — a position Greece has consistently advanced as the conflict has widened.