Israel announced on Thursday that it will deport pro-Palestinian activists intercepted at sea while attempting to sail toward Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The group of around 45 vessels, which included politicians, rights campaigners, and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, set sail last month to deliver aid to Gaza, where the United Nations has warned famine has taken hold.
The Israeli navy intercepted most of the boats since Wednesday, preventing them from entering what it described as a lawful blockade zone. The foreign ministry said, “None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade.” Greece confirmed that 39 of the vessels had been redirected to Ashdod port, with passengers reported to be in good health.
Some of the detained activists, including 11 Greeks, began a hunger strike to protest their “illegal detention by the Israeli authorities.” Israel has stated that all passengers will be deported to Europe but did not specify the countries.
The flotilla’s organisers accused Israel of “piracy” after losing communication with some vessels, while Amnesty International described the interception as “an act of intimidation intended to punish and silence critics of Israel’s genocide and its unlawful blockade on Gaza.” Hamas condemned the move as “maritime terrorism.”
The incident drew global reactions. Spain summoned Israel’s representative in Madrid and launched a legal inquiry into possible crimes against humanity. Turkey condemned the interception as “an act of terrorism” and opened an investigation after some of its citizens were detained. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of all remaining Israeli diplomats from the country. South Africa also called for the immediate release of the activists, among them Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela.
Meanwhile, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised the mission, saying it risked undermining US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan. Across Italy, strikes and demonstrations were held in solidarity with the flotilla.
What you should know
Israel intercepted and blocked the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying pro-Palestinian activists, including Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela, before it could reach Gaza.
While Israel insists its blockade is lawful, rights groups and several governments have condemned the move as intimidation, piracy, or even crimes against humanity. The activists are now set to be deported to Europe.
