Israel deported 137 activists on Saturday after detaining them from an aid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza. The Israeli foreign ministry identified the deportees as citizens from the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Jordan, and other nations. Authorities sent the group to Turkey, and officials indicated plans to expedite deportation procedures for all detained participants.
The Global Sumud Flotilla departed last month carrying politicians and activists toward Gaza, where the United Nations reports worsening hunger conditions. Israeli naval forces began intercepting vessels on Wednesday, and an official confirmed the following day that boats carrying more than 400 people had been stopped from entering Palestinian territory. Israel had previously deported four Italian activists on Friday as the first deportees from the flotilla operation.
The Global Sumud Flotilla departed last month carrying politicians and activists toward Gaza, where the United Nations reports worsening hunger conditions. Israeli naval forces began intercepting vessels on Wednesday, and an official confirmed the following day that boats carrying more than 400 people had been stopped from entering Palestinian territory. Israel had previously deported four Italian activists on Friday as the first deportees from the flotilla operation.
