Israel: Gaza-bound flotilla participants to arrive at Ashdod Port for deportation PHOTO

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that activists taking part in the Global Sumud flotilla are making their way safely to the port of Ashdod, where deportation procedures will begin.

 According to Caliber.Az, this was stated in a post on the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s X page.

"The passengers are safe and in good health," the ministry said.

Earlier, the Israeli navy had intercepted vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, detaining activists aboard, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said several boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) were “safely stopped” and transferred to an Israeli port, after being warned they were approaching an “active combat zone.”

The flotilla described the interception as “illegal” and accused Israel of deliberately ramming a vessel and using water cannons on others, calling the actions a “brazen act of desperation” aimed at maintaining Gaza’s isolation. GSF added that 30 boats were still en route to Gaza, around 46 nautical miles from their destination.

Israel maintains the flotilla was violating a lawful naval blockade of Gaza’s waters. Footage released by the Israeli military shows Thunberg on deck, receiving water and a jacket from military personnel.

By Aghakazim Guliyev