Occupation Transfers "Resilience Fleet" Activists to Ashdod Port in Preparation for Their Deportation

Follow-up by SadaNews - Global concern is increasing regarding the activists who were arrested near the shores of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli occupation, following their approach to the shores of Gaza, as part of the Resilience Maritime Fleet, which set sail with dozens of ships loaded with humanitarian and relief aids, aiming to break the siege on Gaza.

Since last night, the Israeli occupation has detained several activists who were on board the intercepted ships. According to Hebrew reports, the occupation intercepted no less than 40 ships from the global Resilience Fleet.

In response, many Arab and Western countries have condemned the interception of the fleet, including various Palestinian factions and institutions.

Read also: Widespread Global Condemnation Following Israel's Interception of the Resilience Fleet

Hamas stated, "The occupation army's interception of the Resilience Fleet and the arrest of activists is piracy and terrorism, and we call on the international community to assume its responsibilities in condemning the occupation's piracy and taking urgent steps to protect the activists and their ships."

Meanwhile, the Islamic Jihad Movement considered, "The aggression against the Resilience Fleet is maritime piracy and a blatant violation of international humanitarian laws, and the occupation bears full responsibility for the safety of the participants in the Resilience Fleet."

For its part, the Palestinian Prisoners Club said, "The occupation's detention of the Resilience Fleet activists is an aggression against the voice of the free people in the world and is a systematic policy adopted by the occupation over decades, through various means, including killings. Notably, this includes the assassination of American activist Rachel Corrie, who was run over by an Israeli military bulldozer in Gaza in 2003, and the killing of American-Turkish activist Aisha Noor by the occupation's army in the town of Beta/Nablus in September 2024."

The club added, "We salute the detained activists as they represent a free voice supporting Palestinian rights. We call on the international community to take responsibility and carry the message of these activists by exerting actual pressure to stop the genocide and break the siege imposed on our people in Gaza."

One of the activists recorded a video clip calling on his government to intervene for his release after being kidnapped by the occupation while participating in the global Resilience Fleet.

Additionally, a large number of cities around the world witnessed massive public demonstrations in protest against the interception of the Resilience ships.

See: Demonstrations in European Cities Following the Occupation's Interception of the Resilience Fleet

In the same context, the occupation's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that they would deport all activists who were on board the "Global Resilience Fleet" ships intercepted by the navy to European countries.
The ministry's statement on X platform indicated that "procedures for the deportation of the Resilience Fleet passengers to Europe will begin," following the interception of the ships.

Hebrew sources indicated that hundreds of the detained participants are being collectively transferred to Ashdod Port, in preparation for "voluntary deportation" or through a legal pathway that may lead to their forced deportation to their home countries.

They added that four ships from the fleet were stranded at sea due to technical failures and engine problems, noting the possibility of stopping or towing them if they cannot return or continue sailing.
At the same time, the army, navy, and naval commandos are conducting extensive combing operations at sea to ensure that there are no attempts by ships that have successfully approached the Gaza coasts or for activists to enter what Israel considers the "blockaded maritime area."

The Justice Center announced it would represent the activists participating in the "Resilience Fleet" before the Israeli authorities, and challenge their expected unlawful detention.
The center demanded that the Israeli authorities immediately stop the illegal interceptions and allow the fleet to reach Gaza, ensuring the immediate release of all detainees and the return of the seized ships and aid.

The center emphasized the necessity of enabling participants to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip without any obstruction, stressing that the continued interceptions represent a gross violation of international law and human rights.

It is worth noting that the organizers of the fleet pointed out that several ships continue to sail towards Gaza.

Activists also published global calls for a general strike tomorrow, Friday, "in rejection of the attack on the global Resilience Fleet and its suppression, and in solidarity with Gaza, which has faced a genocide for two years."