The Israeli government says it has deported hundreds of activists who were detained after attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, following growing international criticism over their treatment while in custody.
According to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, all foreign activists involved in the flotilla operation have now been released and removed from the country. The activists were reportedly flown out through a civilian airport near the southern Israeli city of Eilat.
The legal rights organization Adalah confirmed the deportations and said one participant, Zohar Regev, was released separately after appearing in court in Ashkelon. Regev, who holds Israeli citizenship, faced allegations related to illegal entry and unlawful stay. The activist has previously participated in Gaza-bound flotillas.
The incident sparked backlash in several countries, with some governments reportedly summoning Israeli diplomats to express concerns over how the activists were treated during detention.
Among those released were two Italian nationals who returned home on Thursday and accused Israeli authorities of physical abuse while in custody. Italian lawmaker Dario Carotenuto described moments inside a detention facility as the “longest seconds” of his life, claiming Israeli forces pointed rifles at activists during the operation.
Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani alleged he was assaulted during detention, saying officers kicked and punched him.
However, the Israeli Prison Service strongly denied the accusations. Spokesperson Zivan Freidin called the claims “false” and said they had “no factual basis.”
The flotilla incident has further intensified international scrutiny over Israel’s blockade policies and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which remains a major source of global diplomatic tension.
