🔗 Share this article

News Agency

A quartet of Italian nationals have been removed from Israel after being taken into custody when ships part of a flotilla carrying aid headed toward Gaza were stopped, according to the nation's foreign ministry.

In excess of 470 individuals were apprehended, per information from Israeli police. The ministry stated that authorities were in the process of deporting the others.

Interception Operation

The expulsions coincide with the last ship of the humanitarian convoy was intercepted by government forces on Friday's early hours.

The flotilla organizers described Israel's actions as against international law, while Israeli officials described the convoy's mission as a "intentional confrontation".

The interception of the humanitarian mission sparked demonstrations around the world, including a general strike in Italy.

Maritime Zone Incident

The first boats were intercepted on midweek about approximately 130 kilometers from the Gaza coast in global maritime territory and additional vessels nearer. The nation has been policing this zone but lacks legal authority there.

Israeli officials stated its naval forces had told the ships to redirect as they were "heading toward an conflict region and violating a legal maritime closure", while the flotilla organizers maintained the operations were "illegal".

Authority Announcements

"Already the Italian nationals have been expelled. The remaining individuals are undergoing deportation procedures. Israel is keen to end this process as rapidly as possible."

The declaration mentioned that all apprehended individuals were safe and in good health. The GSF has claimed that several activists were targeted with high-pressure water jets while their vessels were boarded.

Prominent Figures

The government's statement mentioned the involvement of Swedish activist the prominent activist on a convoy ship, but provided no specifics on her whereabouts.

"Over an extended period, Israeli military vessels unlawfully boarded each of the 42 of our boats—each carrying relief supplies, participants, and the commitment to break the nation's illegal siege on the Palestinian territory."

Last Boarding

The coalition stated the remaining of its boats, the named vessel, was improperly stopped at mid-morning on the final day of the week, about nearly 80 kilometers from Gaza in open seas.

"Video feeds and transmission systems have been cut, and the whereabouts of participants and crew continues to be unconfirmed," the GSF stated.

"This is an improper operation on non-military volunteers. We urge governments and world bodies to demand their prompt security and freedom."

Last Communications

In a livestream from the last ship, one passenger was seen displaying a piece of paper to the camera reading "A vessel is visible!" moments before mid-morning.

Approximately half an hour subsequently, a dinghy full of military personnel in tactical gear approached the ship, with a considerably larger military vessel visible in the distance.

Location Data

The most recent data on the final vessel, using the convoy's location service, located it around 50 miles from the Gaza coast at mid-morning - just prior to it was taken over.

The majority of the ships involved with the humanitarian mission are undetectable on vessel location platforms reviewed by different services.

A group of five of the boats boarded on Thursday are presently moored at the military port, according to location platform information.

International Response

The GSF flotilla departed for Gaza from Spain at the recent period, with more ships joining from the North African country and additional locations later, the coalition stated.

Rallies in support of the aid convoy and resisting the military operations intensified internationally as the boats neared the territory, in states such as the European nation, Italy, Colombia and Argentina.