Crete: Activists from a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla that was attacked this week by Israel are being transferred to an airport in Crete to be returned to their home countries.

According to Anadolu Agency, a total of 178 activists from various countries, including Greece, were transported to the village of Atherinolakkos in Lasithi, eastern Crete. They will be taken by bus to Heraklion Airport, from where they will be flown back to their respective nations.

The Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla was attacked on Thursday near the Greek island, approximately 600 nautical miles from their intended destination, the heavily blockaded enclave of Gaza. The first ships of the flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid, departed from Barcelona on April 12. The main fleet set sail from the Italian island of Sicily on April 26, with the aim of breaking Israel's long-standing blockade of Gaza.

Israel has maintained a blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, severely affecting the 2.4 million residents living there. The situation has been exacerbated by an Israeli military offensive launched in October 2023, which resulted in over 72,000 deaths, more than 172,000 injuries, and significant destruction in the territory.