Overview

• The Israeli Foreign Ministry said passengers from intercepted boats are being taken to Israel, where deportation procedures to Europe will begin.
• Organizers reported more than 40 vessels with roughly 500 participants, saying several dozen boats were stopped while others continued toward Gaza.
• Claims that the vessel Mikeno neared or entered Israeli-controlled waters are disputed by the Israeli military and remain unverified.
• Israel offered offloading of aid at Ashdod for transfer into Gaza, an option the flotilla rejected as contrary to its stated mission.
• Diplomatic and public reactions followed, with Colombia expelling Israeli diplomats and canceling a free trade pact, Spain summoning Israel’s chargé d’affaires, and protests in European cities including Berlin where police reported arrests.