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Four Italian citizens have been removed from Israel after being apprehended when boats sailing in a flotilla carrying humanitarian assistance bound for Gaza were stopped, according to Israeli foreign ministry.

Over 470 people were taken into custody, per information from Israeli police. The ministry announced that officials were actively deporting the remaining individuals.

Interception Operation

The removals coincide with the last ship of the humanitarian convoy was boarded by government forces on Friday's early hours.

The GSF called the Israeli interceptions as unlawful, while Israel described the flotilla's mission as a "deliberate challenge".

The stopping of the humanitarian mission sparked protests around the world, comprising a general strike in Italy.

Open Seas Operation

The first vessels were intercepted on Wednesday about around 80 miles off the Gaza coast in global maritime territory and additional vessels in proximity. Israel has been patrolling this zone but lacks legal authority there.

Israeli officials claimed its maritime military had told the boats to redirect as they were "moving closer to an active combat zone and disregarding a official sea restriction", while the GSF said the interceptions were "illegal".

Authority Announcements

"Thus far four Italian citizens have been deported. The remaining individuals are in the process of being deported. Israel is determined to end this procedure as rapidly as attainable."

The announcement noted that all apprehended individuals were safe and in satisfactory physical state. The GSF has claimed that several volunteers were struck with water cannon while their vessels were boarded.

Prominent Figures

The official statement mentioned the participation of climate advocate the well-known campaigner on a participating vessel, but did not give additional information on her condition.

"Throughout 38 hours, Israeli occupation naval forces illegally intercepted all 42 of our boats—each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the commitment to overcome Israel's illegal siege on the Palestinian territory."

Final Interception

The group reported the remaining of its vessels, the named vessel, was improperly stopped at 10:29 local time on the final day of the week, roughly nearly 80 kilometers from the coastal territory in global maritime space.

"Live streams and contact methods have been cut, and the status of individuals aboard and maritime staff is still unknown," the organization announced.

"This constitutes an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians. We urge governments and international institutions to require their prompt security and liberation."

Last Communications

In a live broadcast from the last ship, one passenger was visible showing a written sign to the lens saying "There's a boat approaching!" just before 10:00 local time.

Roughly 30 minutes later, a dinghy full of military personnel in combat equipment pulled alongside the ship, with a significantly bigger military vessel discernible in the distance.

Tracking Information

The most recent data on the final vessel, through the mission's monitoring system, put it 43 nautical miles from the Palestinian shoreline at mid-morning - shortly before it was intercepted.

The largest portion of the ships participating in the humanitarian mission are not visible on vessel location platforms analyzed by different services.

Several of the boats stopped on the previous day are currently docked at the government maritime facility, according to location platform information.

Global Reactions

The humanitarian convoy began its journey for the Palestinian territory from the European nation at the conclusion of the previous month, with more ships connecting from the North African country and different departure points afterward, the coalition reported.

Protests in support of the humanitarian mission and against the conflict in the territory increased around the world as the vessels neared the territory, in states including Spain, Italy, Colombia and Argentina.