AFPThe Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that six of the eight militants who were intercepted on their way to break the Israeli Navy blockade in Gaza were deported.
Earlier, Israeli human rights group Adalah said they will be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport after illegally intercepting Madleen Freedom Flotilla in international waters. ”
Adalah, who provided legal advice to activists, said the other two remained in Israeli custody on Friday, awaiting deportation.
Among those who left on Thursday was French-Palestinian European Parliament Rima Hassan.
“Six passengers, including Rima Hassan, are leaving Israel,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in an article on X.
It added: “Goodbye, don’t forget to take pictures before leaving.”
The post also shows photos of activists sitting on the plane.
An article on Hassan X’s account said she had left the prison and invited people to meet in Paris at 21:00 (20:00 BST).
Adala said the other five activists were Mark Van Rennes of the Netherlands, Suayb Ordu from Turkey, Yasemin Acar from Germany, Thiago Avila from Brazil and Reva Viard from France.
The rights group said the other two people who have not been deported are French nationals Pascal Maurillas and Yanis Mumdi. It said they are still in custody at Jiwen Prison and are expected to be deported on Friday afternoon.
“During the detention period, the volunteers suffered abuse, punitive measures and positive treatment, and the two volunteers were in solitary confinement for a period of time,” Adala said in a statement.
It added: “Adalah called for the immediate release of all eight volunteers and safely access to the country. Their ongoing detention and forced deportation are illegal and part of Israel’s ongoing violations of international law.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has previously said those who refuse to sign deportation documents will face judicial proceedings to deport them under Israeli law.
A group of 12 people sailed in the yacht Madrin on Monday when Israeli authorities intercepted about 185 kilometers (115 miles) west of Gaza.
The expedition organized by Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) aims to provide Gaza with “symbolic” assistance to violate Israeli blockade and highlight the humanitarian crisis there.
At that time, the Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed it as a “self-portrait yacht” and “less than one aid truck.”
Follow the detention of militants, four, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and two French nationalsagree to be deported immediately.
Upon arriving in France, Thunberg accused Israeli authorities of kidnapping her and other militants in international waters.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the unauthorized attempt to violate the Gaza blockade was “dangerous, illegal and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts”.
It added that aid transported on the FFC ship, including infant formula and medicine, would be transferred to Gaza “through real humanitarian channels.”
Israel stopped delivering all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies on March 2 and resumed its military offensive two weeks later, a two-month ceasefire with Hamas collapsed.
The steps are intended to put pressure on the organization to release hostages still in Gaza, but the United Nations warns that the 2.1 million people of Gaza are facing catastrophic hunger levels due to food shortages.
Three weeks ago, Israel launched an expanded offensive to control all areas of Gaza. It also partially eased the lockdown, allowing the use of “basic” food.
Israel now prioritizes allocation through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and supports it with the United States. The United Nations and other aid organizations have refused to work with the new system, saying it violates humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence.
It has been 20 months since Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza since the Israeli cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, with about 1,200 people killed and another 251 taken hostage.
At least 55,207 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the Hamas-Ministry of Operations in the region.
