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Four individuals from Italy have been removed from Israel after being taken into custody when boats participating in a humanitarian convoy transporting humanitarian assistance destined for Gaza were boarded, according to Israeli foreign ministry.

In excess of 470 individuals were detained, per information from Israeli police. The ministry announced that authorities were actively deporting the remaining individuals.

Naval Boarding

The removals come as the final boat of the GSF was stopped by Israeli authorities on Friday morning.

The convoy leadership labeled the Israeli actions as unlawful, while Israeli officials portrayed the flotilla's actions as a "deliberate challenge".

The interception of the humanitarian mission ignited protests globally, comprising a nationwide work stoppage in Italy.

Maritime Zone Confrontation

The initial vessels were stopped on Wednesday about around 80 miles away from the Gaza shoreline in international waters and more ships nearer. The nation has been policing this area but does not have jurisdiction there.

Israel claimed its naval forces had ordered the vessels to change course as they were "moving closer to an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade", while the flotilla organizers maintained the operations were "against international norms".

Official Statements

"Already the Italian nationals have been deported. The others are in the process of being deported. Israel is keen to complete this procedure as quickly as possible."

The declaration mentioned that everyone in custody were safe and in satisfactory physical state. The convoy leadership has stated that several activists were targeted with high-pressure water jets while their vessels were intercepted.

Prominent Figures

The government's statement noted the involvement of Swedish activist Greta Thunberg on one of the boats, but provided no additional information on her status.

"Over 38 hours, Israeli military vessels improperly stopped each of the 42 of our vessels—each bearing humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the determination to challenge Israel's illegal siege on the Palestinian territory."

Final Interception

The coalition reported the remaining of its vessels, the Marinette, was improperly stopped at the morning hours on the final day of the week, approximately 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza in global maritime space.

"Video feeds and transmission systems have been terminated, and the whereabouts of those involved and crew continues to be unknown," the coalition said.

"This constitutes an unlawful action on unarmed humanitarians. We appeal to national authorities and global organizations to require their immediate safety and freedom."

Concluding Scenes

In a real-time video from the last ship, a participant was observed showing a written sign to the camera reading "There's a boat approaching!" shortly prior to 10:00 local time.

Approximately half an hour afterward, a naval craft carrying security forces in military attire pulled alongside the vessel, with a considerably larger government boat visible in the distance.

Location Data

The current information on the last ship, through the flotilla's location service, put it approximately 80 kilometers from the Gaza shoreline at mid-morning - shortly before it was boarded.

The greater number of the vessels participating in the aid convoy are undetectable on vessel location platforms analyzed by various sources.

Five of the ships boarded on Thursday are currently docked at the military port, according to location platform data.

Global Reactions

The GSF flotilla began its journey for Gaza from the European nation at the conclusion of the previous month, with more ships participating from the North African country and different departure points later, the GSF stated.

Demonstrations in solidarity with the humanitarian mission and against the military operations intensified around the world as the ships approached the Strip, in nations comprising Spain, the Mediterranean country, the South American nation and Argentina.