Gaza: 27 Greek activists remain detained in Israel; deportation delayed

The 27 Greek activists from the Gaza-bound flotilla continue to be held at a detention center in Israel’s Negev desert awaiting deportation. Eleven of the 400 detained individuals, including some Greeks, are on hunger strike, protesting what they call illegal detention. The process is slow due to the large number of detainees. Greece’s ambassador to Israel will visit the Ketsiot detention center again on Sunday (05.10.2025), which may clarify their status. Some Greeks have waived legal recourse, while others await hearings—potentially delayed by an Israeli holiday. A staggered return could begin Sunday. Athens has strongly urged Israel to respect detainees’ rights and expedite procedures, with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis speaking directly to his Israeli counterpart. Meanwhile, 137 flotilla activists—including 36 Turks and 101 third-country nationals—arrived in Istanbul via a Turkish Airlines flight from southern Israel after being deported. They were part of the Sumud flotilla aiming to break Gaza’s naval blockade. A new flotilla of around 100 activists, departing from Italy in late September, is currently sailing near Crete en route to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, under international agreements observed by Israel, vessels cannot enter restricted waters, and Israeli authorities warn they will intercept the fleet if it approaches within 70 nautical miles of the coast.