Israel deports all foreign activists from Gaza flotilla

Key points

• Israel said on Thursday (May 21, 2026) it had deported all the foreign activists seized by Israeli forces from a Gaza-bound flotilla, following global outcry over their treatment in custody.
• Around 430 activists from countries around the world had been placed in detention in Israel after they were intercepted at sea on Monday (May 18, 2026) while making the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory.
• Israel’s far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sparked widespread condemnation and diplomatic backlash on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) by posting a video showing the detained activists with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground.
• Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Oren Marmorstein, said on Thursday (May 21, 2026) “Israel will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” he added.
• The legal centre representing the flotilla members said earlier on Thursday (May 21, 2026) that...