Israel has deported 131 foreign activists who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian aid mission aiming to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza. The activists, detained after Israeli naval forces intercepted their vessel in international waters, were transferred through the Allenby Bridge into Jordan. The operation has drawn global outrage, with legal experts and rights organizations accusing Israel of breaching international law and using excessive force against unarmed civilians engaged in a humanitarian mission.

Deportations Across Multiple Corridors

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the arrival of 131 activists on Tuesday, including citizens from Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Oman, Kuwait, Libya, Pakistan, Türkiye, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Serbia, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay. Additional groups were deported to Greece and Slovakia days earlier, following Israeli maritime raids on Gaza-bound aid convoys widely condemned by international observers as unlawful and disproportionate.

Abuse Allegations And Human Rights Violations

Activists described their treatment in Israeli detention as degrading and violent, reporting physical assaults, verbal abuse, and denial of sleep, food, and medical care. Lawyers said they were barred from clients for over 48 hours, while some detainees claimed they were forced to kneel for hours and threatened with weapons. Human rights groups condemned these acts as violations of the UN Convention Against Torture and called for an independent investigation into Israel’s conduct.

Violations Of International Law

The Global Sumud Flotilla, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, sought to challenge Israel’s 18-year Gaza blockade, denounced as collective punishment of over two million civilians. Legal experts said Israel’s interception of a civilian ship in international waters violated the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and freedom of navigation. Türkiye, South Africa, and Jordan condemned the act, urging accountability and warning that repeated attacks on humanitarian flotillas undermine international norms.

Gaza’s Blockade And Regional Outcry

The deportations come as Gaza faces one of its worst humanitarian crises in years. The ongoing blockade has crippled access to food, fuel, and medical supplies, with hospitals operating at minimal capacity. Activists aboard the flotilla said their goal was to deliver essential aid and to draw international attention to the suffering of Palestinians trapped under siege.
Regional governments and civil society groups have since called for renewed international action to lift the blockade and hold Israel accountable for its continued violations of international law.