On Saturday, Israel confirmed the deportation of an additional 137 activists who had been detained while participating in an aid flotilla heading towards Gaza.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, those deported hailed from various nations, including the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Jordan.
In a statement posted on X, the Ministry declared, “137 more provocateurs of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla were deported today to Turkey.” The statement further indicated Israel’s intent to “expedite the deportation of all provocateurs.”
This follows the deportation of four Italian activists on Friday, marking the beginning of the removal process for hundreds involved in the flotilla.
The “Global Sumud Flotilla” embarked on its journey last month, carrying politicians and various activists, notably Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg. Its destination was Gaza, a region where the United Nations has reported growing concerns of famine.
The Israeli navy initiated the interception of these vessels on Wednesday. An Israeli official subsequently confirmed that boats carrying over 400 individuals had been successfully prevented from reaching the Palestinian territory.