India, May 1 -- Israeli forces operating near the southern Greek island of Crete stopped over 20 boats from a larger flotilla attempting to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. According to Israeli officials, around 175 activists who were detained were expected to be transferred to Greece on Thursday.

Activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli forces boarded their vessels overnight, damaging engines and detaining some passengers as the boats sailed in international waters near Greece, far from Gaza and Israel, according to AP.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said the flotilla was stopped "due to the large numbers of vessels participating in the flotilla and the risk of escalation, and the need to prevent the breach of a lawful blo...