Authorities in Israel on Thursday confirmed the deportation of foreign activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla earlier this week.
According to Israeli officials, more than 430 activists from different countries were taken into custody after their vessels were stopped at sea on Monday during an attempt to challenge Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza Strip.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said all foreign activists involved in the flotilla operation had now been deported.
“Israel will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” he said.
The activists were reportedly held at Ktziot prison in Israel’s Negev Desert before deportation proceedings began.
The flotilla was organised under the banner of the Global Sumud Flotilla, with around 50 vessels departing from Turkey last week in an effort to deliver solidarity support to Gaza.
The incident drew international criticism after Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, posted a video showing detained activists kneeling with their hands restrained.
The footage triggered condemnation from several governments and international observers.
Countries including Italy, Spain and Ireland reportedly called on the European Union to consider sanctions against Ben Gvir.
The United Kingdom also summoned Israel’s senior diplomat in London over what it described as an “inflammatory video.”
A United Nations expert on Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, criticised the treatment of the activists and called for stronger international action against Israel’s policies.
Legal representatives for the activists alleged that some detainees suffered physical abuse during arrest and detention.
Suhad Bishara, legal director of the Adalah legal centre representing the activists, said some participants reported injuries, including suspected broken ribs and wounds from rubber bullets.
Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani, who was among those deported, claimed he and other detainees were handcuffed and subjected to physical assault by Israeli security personnel before being flown out of the country.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007, citing security concerns.
The blockade has remained a major source of international controversy, particularly since the outbreak of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
