STORY: :: Ewa Jasiewicz/Global Sumud Flotilla
Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid for Gaza.
It was made up of more than 40 civilian boats trying to break Israel's blockade and deliver supplies to the hunger-stricken Palestinian territory.
What are the legal implications for the 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and other activists who were onboard?
:: What happened in previous attempts?
Some on board, including activist Greta Thunberg, were also on a flotilla intercepted in June.
Activists on that attempt were detained then deported.
:: June 10, 2025
Thunberg and three others signed deportation orders waiving the right to delay their removal for appeal purposes.
:: June 13, 2025
They were then ejected from Israel.
No criminal prosecutions were made - their presence was treated as an immigration matter.
Eight other activists refused to sign, including French European Parliament member Rima Hassan, who was also in both flotillas.
They appeared before a tribunal that upheld their deportation orders and are banned from returning to Israel for 100 years, legal representatives said.
:: Legal steps to deportation
Adalah, a human rights organization and legal center in Israel, has represented aid flotilla participants in the past.
Suhad Bishara describes what's expected to happen.
"They will go through a process for identification and then hearings pending deportation, deportation orders and keeping them under custody. From there, they will be moved, as far as we know, to Ketziot Prison. We are here to represent them in the hearings, give them legal advice prior to the hearings, during the hearings, monitoring their transfer to the prison authority and will be able to visit them hopefully later on in the coming days. We'll be representing them before the immigration tribunal, pending their deportation."
:: High-security jail
:: File
Ketziot is a high-security jail that does not normally hold immigration detainees, legal experts say.
It's known for its harsh conditions.
It's not where the flotilla activists were held last time.
A spokesperson for Israel's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' questions.
:: Harsh treatment fears
Some Israeli officials want flotilla members to be held for prolonged periods this time, among them far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Adalah says there are "serious concerns activists may be treated more harshly than in previous flotilla missions."
:: GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA
:: Said to be October 2, 2025
Israel's foreign ministry said the flotilla was warned by the navy that it was approaching an active combat zone and violating a "lawful naval blockade." It asked organizers to change course.
It said it also offered to transfer the aid to Gaza.
