Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced that individuals aboard a flotilla intercepted while attempting to breach the naval blockade on Gaza will be transferred to Greece rather than held in Israeli custody.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the move follows coordination with Greek authorities after Israeli forces blocked the vessels from reaching Gaza.

“So far, Israel – through the IDF – has successfully blocked attempts to breach the lawful naval blockade on Gaza and the arrival of vessels from the provocative flotilla, including last night,” Sa’ar stated,

“All participants in the provocative flotilla who were taken off the vessels were taken off unharmed,” he said. “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.”

Sa’ar expressed appreciation to Greece for agreeing to receive those aboard the flotilla and urged that future humanitarian efforts follow established channels. “We call on anyone who is not interested in provocations but rather in humanitarian aid to Gaza to do so through the BOP, which also issued a statement on the matter today.”

“Israel will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” Sa’ar concluded.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Israeli Navy for intercepting the flotilla, emphasizing that the mission was carried out successfully.

“Well done to our Navy! I instructed them to prevent the flotilla of Hamas supporters from reaching the shores of Gaza. The mission was carried out with complete success: not a single ship and not a single Hamas supporter reached our territory, or even our territorial waters. They were turned back and will return to their countries of origin. They will continue to watch Gaza on YouTube.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the government’s decision not to detain the participants, calling it a sign of weakness.

“The unfortunate decision of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister – made in secret and in the dark – to release most of the flotilla participants without arrest and to allow the violation of Israel’s sovereignty just because of Erdogan’s threats, is a message of weakness towards Israel’s enemies and the spreaders of antisemitism in the world,” Ben-Gvir said.

He added that the decision contradicted prior recommendations by security officials. “This decision is contrary to my position, and I demand that it be rescinded.”

The flotilla, which set sail from multiple countries including Turkey, Spain, and Italy, involved more than 100 boats and approximately 1,000 participants. Israeli forces intercepted the vessels late Wednesday night as they neared the Gaza coastline.