Overview

• Israeli forces intercepted roughly 42 vessels and about 450 activists from more than 40 countries, towing the boats to Ashdod where processing and deportations are being prepared.
• The Polish‑flagged Marinette is still headed toward Gaza, with live trackers placing it about 43 nautical miles from the enclave early Friday.
• High‑profile detainees include Greta Thunberg and South African MP Nkosi Zwelivelile ‘Mandla’ Mandela, and legal teams have been allowed limited consultations at Ashdod.
• Flotilla organisers call the interceptions in international waters illegal and report the use of water cannons and communications jamming, while Israel says it lawfully enforced its naval blockade of a war zone.
• Protests spread across Europe and beyond and Italian unions called a one‑day general strike, as governments including South Africa, Pakistan and Colombia demanded releases, with Colombia announcing the expulsion of Israeli diplomats.