First Italian Militants Expelled
Israel confirmed on Friday that four Italian activists from the Global Sumud flotilla have been expelled, marking the first return of participants among nearly 500 who were detained over the past two days aboard boats bound for Gaza. The expulsions come as Israeli authorities push to end what they described as a provocation aimed at breaking the blockade around the Palestinian territory.
What happened at sea
Israeli forces intercepted the last vessel in the convoy around dawn, the organizers said, roughly 42.5 nautical miles (about 80 km) from Gaza. Over the two days, navy units stopped a broad fleet of 42 boats transporting humanitarian aid and volunteers. The Israeli police said more than 470 participants were processed by the military and handed over to the penitentiary administration for further action.
Who was on board
The Global Sumud mission describes itself as a peaceful, non-violent initiative to deliver aid and solidarity to Gaza’s besieged population. Among its participants were politicians, activists, and well-known figures such as the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who had joined earlier legs of the voyage. Organisers emphasised that the aim was to break the Gaza blockade while maintaining non-violence.
International response and human rights concerns
The interception drew praise from some Israeli figures and criticism from human rights groups. Amnesty International described the actions as an intimidation tactic against a peaceful flotilla; others voiced concern over the rapid detention and potential deportation. Protests erupted across Europe and in parts of the Americas, with thousands marching in France, Italy, Ireland, and Switzerland under banners calling for freedom for Gaza. In Mexico, clashes between protesters and police left dozens injured on both sides.
Hunger strikes and solidarity
Several participants—eleven Greek activists among them—began hunger strikes while in custody, a tactic to protest what organizers called unlawful detention. Hamas condemned the interception as piracy, while other international actors urged restraint and lawful treatment of those aboard.
Context: Gaza, Israel, and the broader conflict
The Gaza crisis has escalated since the Hamas attack on 7 October, which prompted a deadly Israeli offensive in Gaza. The health ministry in Gaza has reported tens of thousands of deaths, a statistic cited with alarm by the United Nations and aid groups. Israel says its actions aim to prevent weapons and militants from reaching Gaza and to ensure security for its citizens.
What happens next
Israeli authorities said the next steps would be to expel the remaining participants to Europe as quickly as possible, with all passengers deemed healthy and safe for travel. The flotilla’s organizers insist the mission will continue in other forms, arguing that international support for Gaza’s civilians remains essential. The incident highlights the polarized and ongoing international debate over Gaza and the blockade, a topic likely to figure prominently in diplomatic discussions in the coming weeks.
As legal and diplomatic processes unfold, observers warn that detentions and expulsions risk inflaming tensions and complicating aid deliveries, while supporters argue such measures uphold sovereignty and deter attempts to break the blockade.
