Israel established elite task force to hunt down terrorists who took part in Oct. 7 - report

On 21 May 2026, Israel deported the foreign activists it had detained after intercepting a Gaza-bound flotilla. China Daily reported that more than 400 people were detained, and Der Spiegel reported that 430 activists were sent to Istanbul. Israel's Foreign Ministry said all flotilla detainees had been deported. Seoul said Israel released two Koreans, France 24 reported about forty French nationals flown to Turkey, and El País reported that the deportees included Spaniards.

Criticism grew after the interception. Activists told of bruises and torture, and Anadolu Agency called the detention illegal. The Daily Maverick wrote that the activists were to be deported after taunting by an Israeli minister, and Le Monde reported on a video of European activists released by Ben Gvir.