Four activists from the Gaza flotilla expelled by Israel

Four Italian citizens were expelled from Israel after being detained by the Israeli authorities when boats navigating in a flotilla bearing aid to Gaza have been intercepted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel said.

According to Israeli police, more than 470 people were detained. The ministry said the authorities were expelling others.

Friday morning, the deportations came while the last boat of Flatilla Global Sumud (GSF) was intercepted by the Israeli authorities.

The GSF qualified the interceptions of illegal Israel, while Israel described the actions of the flotilla as a “provocation”.

The blocking of the flotilla sparked demonstrations in the world, including a general strike in Italy.

The first boats were arrested on Wednesday at around 70 naval miles off the Gaza coast in international waters and others closer. Israel has monitored this area but does not have competence there.

Israel said her navy told boats to change course because they “approached an active combat zone and violated a legal naval blockade”, while the GSF said that the interceptions were “illegal”.

In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said: “Already four Italian citizens have been expelled. The others are being expelled. Israel is eager to end this procedure as quickly as possible.”

He added that all prisoners were safe and healthy. The GSF allegedly alleged that many activists had been attacked with water cannons while their boats were intercepted.

The Declaration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned the presence of Swedish activist Greta Thunberg on one of the boats, but did not give more details on her status.

Friday morning, in a statement, the GSF said: “More than 38 hours, the naval forces of the Israeli occupation illegally intercepted the 42 ships – each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers and the determination to break the illegal seat of Israel in Gaza.”

He said the last of his boats, the Marinette, was illegally intercepted at 10:29 am local on Friday at around 42.5 naval miles in Gaza in international waters.

“Live flows and communications have been cut, and the status of participants and crew is not confirmed,” said the GSF.

“This is an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarian workers. We call on governments and international institutions to demand their immediate security and release,” he added.

In a live flow from the Marinette, a passenger was seen while holding a piece of paper to the camera while reading “We see a ship!” Just before 10:00 am local time (8:00 am BST).

About half an hour later, a canoe full of armed troops carrying tactical equipment fired next to the Marinette, with a much larger military ship in the background.

The latest data on the Marinette, via the Flatilla tracking website, put it 43 sea miles (80 km) from the Gaza coast at 10:07 am – shortly before its boarding.

The majority of ships sailing as part of the flotilla are not visible on the ships monitoring of ships examined by BBC Verify.

Five of the ships intercepted Thursday are now moored at the Israeli Naval base in Asraeli, the Marine Traffic website followed on Friday morning.

The BBC asked the Israeli Defense Forces (FDI) if it planned to return the ships to their owners and how long those who are detained will be held.

The Flatilla GSF put the sails for Gaza from Spain at the end of last month, with other boats joining Tunisia and other ports later, said the GSF.

The demonstrations in support of the flotilla and against the war in Gaza have accelerated in the world while the boats approached the strip, in countries such as Spain, Italy, Colombia and Argentina.

Additional report by Matt Murphy and Richard Irvine-Brown