Israel has announced that 137 additional activists who were detained during their participation in an aid flotilla destined for Gaza have been deported. The Israeli foreign ministry revealed that the deported individuals hailed from countries such as the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Jordan, and others.
In a social media post, the ministry stated that “137 more provocateurs of the Hamas–Sumud flotilla were deported today to Turkey.” It emphasized Israel’s objective to promptly deport all individuals inciting provocation.
Earlier, four Italian activists were deported by Israel, marking the initial group of approximately 450 individuals detained from the flotilla. The Global Sumud Flotilla embarked last month, carrying politicians and activists, including renowned Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg, towards Gaza, where the United Nations has highlighted a growing famine crisis.
The Israeli navy initiated interceptions of the boats on Wednesday, with an Israeli official reporting the prevention of boats carrying over 400 passengers from reaching Gaza the following day. Meanwhile, an additional flotilla comprising 11 vessels is en route to Gaza, with the aim of challenging the Gaza blockade.