ATHENS, May 2 -- Dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces off Crete left their boats yesterday, many taken to hospital on the Greek island while others were flown out.

Greek officials said 31 of the roughly 175 activists had been taken to hospital on Crete. Turkish officials said about 60 had arrived by plane in Istanbul yesterday evening.

More than 50 vessels had set sail from ports in France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking the blockade of Gaza and bringing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.

Israeli forces halted the boats overnight Wednesday to Thursday, with organisers the Global Sumud Flotilla saying their equipment had been smashed and that the intervention had left them ...