The Israeli navy intercepted the last vessel of a pro-Palestinian flotilla bound for Gaza on Friday, a day after detaining around 450 activists, Reuters reported.
Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg was among 470 activists detained by Israel.
Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla said the ship Marinette was stopped about 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza, the news agency reported.
Israeli military radio confirmed that naval forces boarded the vessel and redirected it to Ashdod port.
“All 42 boats carrying aid and volunteers have now been illegally intercepted,” the flotilla said in a statement, accusing Israel of blocking humanitarian efforts.
Footage streamed from the Marinette showed activists raising their hands as armed soldiers boarded, with one note displayed reading: “We see a ship! It’s a war ship.”
Israel’s foreign ministry said four Italians had already been deported and others would follow soon, stressing that all detainees were in good health.
Authorities argued the flotilla was warned against entering an “active combat zone” and violating a “lawful naval blockade,” while offering to deliver aid to Gaza by other means.
On Friday, tens of thousands of Italians joined a general strike in solidarity with the activists. Protests also erupted in several European cities as well as Karachi, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, visiting Ashdod port, described the activists as “terrorists” in a video where detainees were seen seated on the ground. Some could be heard chanting “Free Palestine.”
Meanwhile, Cyprus confirmed that one of the flotilla’s ships had docked in Larnaca with 21 foreigners seeking refuelling and humanitarian support, though it did not clarify whether the vessel had been intercepted earlier.
Since then, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 66,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel faces genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice, which it denies, insisting its campaign is self-defence.
