Israel has deported foreign activists from the Gaza aid flotilla who were detained while trying to breach the Israeli military blockade, following heavy criticism regarding their treatment.
Israeli authorities revealed on Thursday, 21 May 2026, that they have deported all foreign activists detained by the Israeli military from the aid flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip, after global dissatisfaction and condemnation arose over the treatment of the detained activists.
More than 430 activists from various countries worldwide were taken into custody in Israel after their vessels were intercepted at sea on Monday while attempting to break the Israeli blockade to enter the Gaza Strip, despite previous unsuccessful attempts.
Earlier on Wednesday, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right Minister of National Security, sparked widespread condemnation and diplomatic backlash by posting a video showing detained activists with their hands bound and foreheads pressed to the ground, saying, “Welcome to Israel.”
The clip drew severe criticism of Ben-Gvir from governments around the world—from Italy, Spain, Australia to Canada—and internal rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gidon Saar, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Thursday, “All foreign activists from the PR flotilla have been deported from Israel,” adding, “Israel will not tolerate any violation of the lawful maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip.”
Adalah, a legal center representing the activists, stated Thursday morning that most flotilla members “are in the process of being deported” from Ramon Airport in southern Israel after being held at Israel's Ktziot prison.
Turkey announced it is sending a plane to Israel to “bring our citizens, as well as third-country participants, back to Turkey via a special charter flight scheduled for today.”
/international news updates/https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:bbc