Israel recently deported 171 foreign activists, including climate advocate Greta Thunberg. These activists were detained while trying to breach the naval blockade around Gaza to deliver aid. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed they were sent to Greece and Slovakia, among other countries.
So far, a total of 341 activists have been deported out of over 470 on board the flotilla, named the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). The flotilla aimed to “break the illegal siege on Gaza by sea” and open a humanitarian corridor.
Organizers argued that the interception violated international maritime and humanitarian law. Israel, on the other hand, maintains the blockade is legal and called the flotilla a “PR stunt.” They dismissed claims from activists about mistreatment during detention, labeling them as “fake news.”
Some returning activists have reported harsh treatment. Rafael Borrego, a Spanish activist, described physical and mental abuse during detention, claiming they were blindfolded, tied up, and insulted. Swiss nationals expressed similar concerns, citing “inhumane detention conditions.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry defended its actions, insisting that activists’ legal rights were preserved. They reported a single incident of violence involving a Spanish citizen biting a medical worker during a routine check.
The flotilla set sail following alarming reports from the UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), stating that a famine is affecting Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, malnutrition has led to at least 460 Palestinian deaths since the start of the conflict.
The UN has strongly urged Israel to lift the blockade to allow essential aid into Gaza. As the occupying power, Israel is legally obligated to ensure access to food and medical supplies for the population. Israel claims it complies with international law and facilitates aid entry, disputing the IPC’s findings on food security.
Since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths in Israel, the situation in Gaza has worsened significantly. By current estimates, at least 67,160 people have died in Israeli assaults in Gaza, raising urgent calls for international intervention to end the crisis.
Understanding this situation is crucial as humanitarian concerns merge with ongoing political conflicts.
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