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A quartet of Italian nationals have been deported from the country after being apprehended when boats participating in a flotilla carrying aid bound for Gaza were stopped, according to Israeli foreign ministry.

In excess of 470 people were taken into custody, per information from law enforcement authorities. The ministry stated that authorities were actively removing the others.

Interception Operation

The deportations occur as the last ship of the Global Sumud Flotilla was boarded by Israeli authorities on the morning of Friday.

The flotilla organizers labeled the Israeli interceptions as unlawful, while Israel described the convoy's mission as a "deliberate challenge".

The stopping of the aid convoy ignited rallies globally, comprising a general strike in Italy.

International Waters Confrontation

The initial ships were boarded on midweek about 70 nautical miles off the Palestinian shoreline in global maritime territory and additional vessels nearer. Israel has been policing this region but lacks sovereign rights there.

Israeli officials said its maritime military had told the ships to alter direction as they were "moving closer to an active combat zone and violating a legal maritime closure", while the GSF said the interceptions were "illegal".

Authority Announcements

"Thus far the Italian nationals have been deported. The remaining individuals are being prepared for expulsion. Israel is keen to complete this process as quickly as feasible."

The declaration noted that all apprehended individuals were unharmed and in satisfactory physical state. The convoy leadership has claimed that numerous volunteers were assaulted with high-pressure water jets while their boats were boarded.

Prominent Figures

The foreign ministry's communication noted the presence of environmental campaigner the well-known campaigner on one of the boats, but did not give further details on her condition.

"Over 38 hours, Israeli military vessels illegally intercepted each of the 42 of our ships—each carrying relief supplies, participants, and the determination to break Israel's restrictive measures on Gaza."

Concluding Operation

The coalition said the remaining of its vessels, the participating ship, was improperly stopped at 10:29 local time on Friday, approximately 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza in international waters.

"Real-time broadcasts and communications have been cut, and the whereabouts of participants and crew continues to be uncertain," the GSF said.

"This constitutes an improper operation on non-military volunteers. We appeal to national authorities and international institutions to require their prompt security and release."

Final Moments

In a livestream from the final vessel, an individual aboard was observed holding up a message to the camera stating "A vessel is visible!" shortly prior to the morning hour.

Roughly a short time subsequently, a small boat full of armed troops equipped with tactical gear approached the Marinette, with a much larger naval ship discernible in the distance.

Location Data

The current information on the Marinette, through the mission's location service, located it around 50 miles from the Gaza shoreline at 10:07 - moments before it was taken over.

The majority of the vessels participating in the aid convoy are unobservable on maritime monitoring services reviewed by various sources.

Five of the vessels intercepted on Thursday are presently moored at the military port, according to monitoring service records.

International Response

The aid mission began its journey for Gaza from Spain at the recent period, with additional vessels joining from Tunisia and different departure points afterward, the GSF said.

Rallies in support of the aid convoy and against the conflict in the territory ramped up internationally as the boats came closer to the Strip, in states such as the European nation, Italy, Colombia and Argentina.