Overview

• Israeli naval units intercepted most of the roughly 40–50 civilian boats off Gaza and towed several to the port of Ashdod for identification and deportation processing.
• Organizers say about 443–450 of roughly 500 participants are in custody, while at least one small vessel, the Marinette, remained at sea after the mass interdictions.
• Israeli authorities state detainees are safe and will be deported in the coming days, as legal advocates report expedited hearings and raise due-process concerns.
• Activists accuse Israeli forces of ramming vessels, disrupting communications, deploying drones and using water cannons; Israel says it issued warnings and offered alternative aid routes.
• The operation drew rapid global reactions, with protests in multiple countries, Colombia ordering Israeli diplomats to leave, and European governments pressing for consular access to their nationals.