Israel expels all foreign activists from the Gaza flotilla

Israel announced Thursday that it had expelled all foreign activists captured aboard the "Gaza flotilla," which was intercepted at sea three days earlier by the Israeli navy. The Foreign Ministry confirmed the action through its spokesman, Oren Marmorstein, who stated that "Israel will not allow any violation of the lawful naval blockade imposed on Gaza." The statement did not specify whether the activists had been tried before their deportation.

A controversial video sparks outrage

The affair took an embarrassing turn for the Israeli government after a video surfaced on Wednesday showing the national security minister alongside kneeling, handcuffed activists. The footage, in which the minister appeared triumphant, sparked outrage in several foreign countries. Tensions also arose within the Israeli government itself, with several members criticizing the staging as humiliating.

The interception of this flotilla is part of the maritime blockade that Israel has maintained around the Gaza Strip for years. Israeli authorities justify this measure on security grounds, while humanitarian activists denounce an embargo that hinders the delivery of aid to the Gazan population. The swift expulsion of the activists appears aimed at quickly bringing to a close an episode that has become diplomatically embarrassing.