Activists on Gaza aid flotilla taken by ‘Israel’ disembark in Crete: AFP

Dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla which was raided by ‘Israeli’ forces in international waters off Crete disembarked on Friday in the Greek island, according to AFP.

Escorted by Greek coast guards, some 175 activists were taken in four buses to a town whose name was not disclosed by the authorities.

The ‘Israeli’ Foreign Ministry said that two activists will be taken to ‘Israel’ for questioning.

“Saif Abu Keshek, suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization and Thiago Ávila suspected of illegal activity, will be brought to Israel for questioning,” it said in a statement on X.

The ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats on Thursday. Flotilla organisers put the number at 211.

"In coordination with the Greek government, the individuals transferred from the flotilla vessels to the Israeli vessel will be disembarked on a Greek beach in the coming hours," the ‘Israeli’ Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on X late Thursday, thanking Greece "for its willingness to receive the flotilla participants".

Several European governments with nationals among those arrested have called on ‘Israel’ to free the activists and called its action a flagrant contravention of international law.

But the United States backed ‘Israeli’ authorities, calling the flotilla a "stunt".

"The United States expects all our allies...to take decisive action against this meaningless political stunt by denying port access, docking, departure and refueling to vessels participating in the flotilla," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

Initially made up of more than 50 boats, the flotilla's aim, according to the organizers, was to break the blockade of Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory, whose access remains largely restricted despite a fragile ceasefire between ‘Israel’ and Hamas, in force since October.