Israel Expels First Militants as Gaza Flotilla Intercepted
Israel announced on Friday that it had begun expelling four Italian nationals, the first of nearly 500 participants in the international flotilla en route to Gaza who were arrested by the Israeli army aboard their vessels over the past two days. The Foreign Ministry said the procedures are designed to end what it calls a provocation and to accelerate expulsions.
According to the ministry, the four Italians have already been expelled, with others in the process of leaving. The last boat of the flotilla was intercepted on Friday morning at about 42.5 nautical miles (roughly 80 km) from Gaza, according to the organizers behind Global Sumud.
Over the last 48 hours, Israeli naval forces intercepted all 42 ships in the convoy, each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and a determination to break the blockade that the organizers describe as illegal. Global Sumud, which brands itself as a peaceful, non-violent mission, had set out from Spain in September with the aim of delivering aid to Gaza, where residents face a severe humanitarian crisis.
Detentions, Police Response, and the Human Rights Dimension
In a coordinated action, Israeli police stated that more than 470 participants were taken into custody by military police, subjected to routine checks, and transferred to the prison service. The organization Amnesty International condemned the developments as an act of intimidation, while rights groups warned about the dangers of suppressing peaceful protest in international waters.
Global Sumud and the International Debate
Global Sumud — a name meaning “resilience” in Arabic — has denounced the interception as an illegal attack in the open seas. The flotilla’s roster included political figures and activists, among them the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The mission’s advocates argue that delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza is essential to alleviating the population’s distress and drawing international attention to the blockade imposed on the territory.
World Reactions and Protests
The interception triggered demonstrations across Europe and beyond. Thousands protested in France, Italy, Ireland and Switzerland, waving Palestinian flags and calling for an end to what demonstrators describe as a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. In Mexico, clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and police produced dozens of injuries. Italy and Spain had previously deployed naval escorts to protect portions of the flotilla’s route after drone attacks reported in late September, a move criticized by the United Nations and the European Union as provocative and risky.
Context of the Gaza Conflict
The ongoing Israeli campaign in Gaza has produced a staggering human toll. Hamas’ health authorities in Gaza report about 66,225 deaths in the territory, a figure cited by UN observers amid concerns about the humanitarian situation. The broader cycle of violence followed Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on Israel, which killed 1,219 Israelis and led to a large-scale Israeli military response. Israeli authorities argue that the flotilla actions threaten security and stability and say expulsions are intended to end what they call provocations as quickly as possible.
Past Incidents and Notable Figures
The flotilla episode also echoes earlier events, including June and July, when the Israeli navy intercepted two vessels bound for Gaza that carried Greta Thunberg and a Palestinian actress, Rima Hassan. Those individuals were disembarked in Israel and subsequently expelled. The flotilla episode has continued to raise questions about maritime law, state sovereignty, and the ethics of delivering aid in a conflict zone.
