Activists from several international flotillas aiming to deliver aid to Gaza have been arriving home after being detained by Israeli forces.
The latest group, from Spain, landed yesterday, marking a wave of deportations involving participants from Europe, Asia and Australia, and were welcomed as heroes.
The missions, organised under banners such as the Global Sumud Flotilla, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousands Madleens to Gaza, have reignited the debate over the legality of Israel’s blockade and its interceptions in international waters.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail at the end of September month carrying humanitarian supplies and dozens of activists from around the world, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The boats were stopped about 70 nautical miles from Gaza in international waters that Israel patrols but does not control. Naval forces boarded the vessels, detained those on board and transferred them to detention centres before deporting them in groups to their home countries.
Six activists from Belgium were among the first to return. They landed a few days ago, still dressed in grey uniforms issued in detention and carrying their belongings in plastic bags. Over the following days, participants from Bangladesh, Australia, Sweden and other countries arrived home, including from Spain yesterday.
Images from the journeys showed gatherings at Mediterranean ports as boats departed, families waiting at airports and activists addressing supporters after their release.
Israel says it intercepted the ships because they were attempting to violate its naval blockade of Gaza, which it maintains is lawful under the laws of armed conflict. Officials argue that a declared blockade allows the interdiction of vessels beyond territorial waters when necessary to prevent breaches.
Israel insists the flotilla participants were safe throughout detention and were deported promptly.
Among those detained was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who joined the mission alongside European and Middle Eastern colleagues as part of an environmental and humanitarian coalition.
After being held briefly, she was released and returned to Sweden, where her arrival drew crowds and widespread media coverage.
Some dispute this version, arguing that the interceptions took place in international waters and therefore breached international maritime law.
Since April, the International Court of Justice has been holding hearings to assess whether the blockade itself is compatible with international law. Human rights organisations such as Amnesty International have described the stopping of humanitarian convoys as a violation of the freedom of navigation and an unlawful act against civilians.
The flotilla organisers maintain that their missions are peaceful and symbolically aimed at highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The ships carried only small quantities of aid but drew attention to the restrictions imposed by the blockade. For them, the forced diversion of their boats to Israeli ports confirmed what they call the illegality of the naval barrier and the enforcement methods used against those who challenge it.
