Helen McEntee calls on Israel to immediately release Irish citizens detained on Gaza aid flotilla

FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER Helen McEntee has called on Israel to immediately release all Irish citizens who were detained on the latest civilian aid flotilla sailing for Gaza.

The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off the Greek island Crete on Wednesday night.

Israel’s foreign ministry said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats, but the flotilla organisers put the number at 211.

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

“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,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on X late yesterday.

Advertisement

He thanked Greece “for its willingness to receive the flotilla participants”.

McEntee today condemned the “seizure of vessels participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off the coast of Greece”.

“I call on the Israeli authorities to immediately release all Irish citizens detained during this operation, to uphold their obligations under international law, and to guarantee the safety and welfare of all those on board,” added McEntee.

She said officials from her Department, including staff at Embassy Athens and Embassy Tel Aviv, have been engaging with the relevant authorities and “stand ready to provide consular assistance to any Irish citizens arriving in Greece as a result of these developments”.

“My clear priority is the safety and wellbeing of all Irish citizens involved,” said McEntee.

Robert Murphy was one of those sailing as part of flotilla when it was intercepted and his daughter, Natalie Murphy, told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that she and her family have not been in contact with him since then.

Related Reads

From Gaza to Iran: Israel's regional conflict expands with little accountability

Dr Margaret Connolly says flotilla will stay on course for Gaza after 200 detained by Israel

'I learned how to steer': President Connolly's sister speaks from the latest Gaza aid flotilla

She said this morning that everything was “going fine until Wednesday night” but that the family have not heard from Robert since 10pm that night.

“We still haven’t actually spoken to him, which we are so anxious to just hear from him at this point,” she added.

Initially made up of more than 50 boats, the flotilla’s aim, according to the organisers, was to break the blockade of Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.

Aid into the region remains largely restricted despite a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has been in force since October.

According to the World Food Programme, at least 1.6 million people (77% of the population) in Gaza are facing high levels of acute food insecurity.

“This includes over 100,000 children and 37,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women projected to suffer acute malnutrition through to April 2026,” the UN organisation said.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More Support The Journal