Overview

• The Israeli navy intercepted more than 40 vessels in international waters near Gaza this week, detaining roughly 470 participants and transferring them to Ashdod and the Ketziot prison complex.
• Israel said 137 detainees were flown to Istanbul on Saturday after four Italians were expelled earlier, and it plans to complete remaining deportations as soon as possible.
• Brazil reports 13 of its citizens are held at Ketziot, including federal lawmaker Luizianne Lins, and it formally condemned the interdiction and arrests as illegal under international law.
• Brazilian diplomats met the detainees on Friday and confirmed their health; sources say five indicated willingness to sign a document to expedite deportation while others refused and face judicial proceedings in Israel.
• Legal groups and organizers cite limits on communication and access to counsel and report some detainees began a hunger strike, as Israel labels the mission a provocation linked to Hamas and says some governments are reluctant to accept return flights.