Dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla which was intercepted by ‘Israeli’ forces in international waters off Crete disembark at a small port on the island.

‘Israel's’ foreign ministry says around 175 activists, the majority of them nationals of European countries, were taken off more than 20 boats on Thursday. Flotilla organisers put the number at 211.

‘Israeli’ foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein on Friday said: "All the flotilla activists are now in Greece except Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila."

The ministry said Keshek was "suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation" and that he and Avila, suspected of "illegal activity", would be brought to ‘Israel’ for questioning.

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.