Israel has begun deporting hundreds of activists who attempted to breach its naval blockade of Gaza, according to a legal organization working with the flotilla. The Israel-based Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, known as Adalah, reported on Thursday that most of the international activists are being transferred to a civilian airport near the southern city of Eilat for deportation.
Netanyahu Orders Swift Deportation
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that he had instructed the activists be deported "as soon as possible." This directive came after he sharply criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for releasing a provocative video showing detained flotilla activists handcuffed and kneeling. Netanyahu emphasized that while Israel has every right to stop "provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters," the manner in which Ben-Gvir handled the situation was "not in line with Israel's values and norms."
Video Sparks Controversy
Ben-Gvir released videos on Wednesday showing him walking among some of the approximately 430 detainees. In one video, activists with their hands tied behind their backs are seen kneeling, their heads touching the floor inside what appears to be a makeshift detention area on a ship's deck. The footage drew widespread condemnation and led to Netanyahu's rebuke.
Flotilla Details and Purpose
The flotilla, comprising more than 50 boats, departed from Turkey near Cyprus last week. Organizers stated their aim was to draw renewed attention to the conditions faced by nearly 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israel has dismissed the flotilla as "a PR stunt at the service of Hamas" with no genuine intent to deliver aid, noting that the boats carry only a symbolic amount of supplies.
Israeli forces began intercepting the boats approximately 268 kilometers (167 miles) from the Gaza coastline, according to the flotilla's website. Earlier, on April 30, Israel had also stopped 20 boats from the flotilla near Crete.
U.S. Sanctions Imposed
This week, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions against several European activists aboard the flotilla. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent labeled the activists as "pro-terror."
Background on Gaza Blockade
Israel has maintained a naval blockade of Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. The blockade was intensified following the Hamas-led militant attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in more than 250 hostages. Critics argue that the blockade amounts to collective punishment, while Israel contends it is necessary to prevent Hamas from arming itself. Egypt, which controls the only border crossing with Gaza not under Israeli control, has also greatly restricted movement in and out of the territory.
Israel's retaliatory offensive following the October 7 attacks has killed more than 72,700 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry, part of Gaza's Hamas-run government, does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its casualty figures but is staffed by medical professionals who maintain detailed records widely regarded as reliable by the international community.
