Israel confirms 137 more activists from Gaza-bound flotilla deported to Turkiye

This frame grab from video released by the Global Sumud Flotilla shows Israeli forces intercepting 'Marinette', the last boat from an international flotilla trying to break Israel's sea blockade, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Global Sumud Flotilla via AP)

Israel said on Saturday that it had deported 137 more activists who were detained while taking part in an aid flotilla bound for Gaza.

The Israeli foreign ministry said those deported were citizens of the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Jordan and several other countries.

The ministry said in a post on X that “137 more provocateurs of the Hamas–Sumud flotilla were deported today to Turkiye”.

“Israel seeks to expedite the deportation of all provocateurs,” it added.

On Friday, Israel deported four Italian activists, the first of hundreds detained from the flotilla.

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail last month, ferrying politicians and activists including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg towards Gaza, where the United Nations says famine is taking hold.

The Israeli navy began intercepting the boats on Wednesday, and an Israeli official said the following day that boats with more than 400 people on board had been prevented from reaching the Palestinian territory.