A Group of Four Gaza Flotilla Activists Expelled by Israeli Authorities

News Agency

Four individuals from Italy have been deported from Israel after being taken into custody when ships sailing in a humanitarian convoy carrying humanitarian assistance destined for Gaza were stopped, according to Israeli foreign ministry.

More than 470 people were apprehended, according to law enforcement authorities. The ministry announced that officials were actively removing the others.

Naval Boarding

The deportations come as the remaining vessel of the GSF was stopped by Israeli authorities on the morning of Friday.

The flotilla organizers labeled the Israeli actions as illegal, while Israel portrayed the convoy's actions as a "provocation".

The interception of the aid convoy sparked demonstrations internationally, featuring a general strike in Italy.

International Waters Incident

The initial ships were stopped on Wednesday about approximately 130 kilometers off the Gaza shoreline in international waters and additional vessels closer. The nation has been policing this region but has no jurisdiction there.

Israeli officials said its maritime military had ordered the vessels to redirect as they were "moving closer to an military operation area and violating a official sea restriction", while the GSF said the boardings were "illegal".

Authority Announcements

"Thus far the Italian nationals have been deported. The others are undergoing deportation procedures. Israel is determined to complete this process as promptly as attainable."

The announcement added that all detainees were unharmed and in good health. The convoy leadership has claimed that numerous participants were targeted with water cannon while their ships were boarded.

Notable Participants

The official statement noted the involvement of Swedish activist the prominent activist on a participating vessel, but offered no additional information on her condition.

"Over nearly two days, government naval units improperly stopped each of the 42 of our ships—each transporting relief supplies, activists, and the commitment to break the nation's illegal siege on Gaza."

Final Interception

The organization reported the last of its vessels, the Marinette, was improperly stopped at 10:29 local time on Friday, roughly nearly 80 kilometers from the coastal territory in open seas.

"Live streams and communications have been cut, and the whereabouts of participants and maritime staff continues to be unknown," the coalition said.

"This is an unlawful action on non-military volunteers. We call on governments and international institutions to require their swift protection and release."

Last Communications

In a real-time video from the Marinette, one passenger was visible holding up a message to the recording device saying "We see a ship!" shortly prior to 10:00 local time.

About a short time later, a dinghy full of armed troops wearing tactical gear came next to the Marinette, with a much larger military vessel discernible in the surroundings.

Tracking Information

The latest data on the Marinette, using the convoy's location service, put it approximately 80 kilometers from the Gaza coast at 10:07 - shortly before it was boarded.

The greater number of the ships participating in the humanitarian mission are not visible on vessel location platforms examined by different services.

Five of the boats boarded on Thursday are now docked at the government maritime facility, according to location platform information.

International Response

The humanitarian convoy set sail for the Palestinian territory from Spain at the conclusion of the previous month, with more ships participating from Tunisia and different departure points later, the coalition said.

Rallies in solidarity with the humanitarian mission and against the conflict in the territory increased globally as the ships neared the region, in countries comprising the European nation, the Mediterranean country, Colombia and Argentina.