Israeli authorities began deporting international activists on Friday following the complete interception of a humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach the Gaza Strip.
The military operation, which spanned approximately 12 hours, resulted in the detention of over 470 participants, including high-profile figures like Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg, as Israel enforced its maritime blockade of the Palestinian territory.
The move comes after the Israeli navy stopped the final vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla, effectively ending its mission to deliver aid to Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of famine. According to Eyewitness News (EWN), four Italian activists were the first to be deported, with the remainder in the process of being removed from the country.
The incident has sparked international protests and highlighted ongoing tensions over the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the war-torn region.
The flotilla, which set sail last month carrying politicians and activists, was intercepted in stages beginning Wednesday. The Israeli navy stopped all 42 of the fleet’s vessels, transferring those on board to Ashdod Port for processing.
In a statement, Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the deportation of the four Italian nationals, noting that ‘the rest are in the process of being deported.’ Israeli police stated: ‘more than 470 flotilla participants were taken into custody by the military police, subjected to rigorous screening, and transferred to the prison administration.’
The flotilla’s organisers contested the interception in a Telegram update, stating that Israeli forces had ‘illegally intercepted all 42 of our vessels, each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the determination to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza.’
The incident has drawn criticism from media freedom advocates. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) confirmed that more than 20 journalists were among those detained, including reporters from Spain’s El País, Qatar’s Al Jazeera, and Italy’s RAI broadcaster.
‘Arresting journalists and preventing them from doing their work is a serious violation of the right to inform and be informed,’ said Martin Roux, head of RSF’s crisis desk.
The situation revealed political divisions within Israel’s government. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the navy’s operation, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called the decision to deport activists a mistake, suggesting they should be imprisoned instead.
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