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A quartet of Italian nationals have been expelled by Israel after being taken into custody when boats part of a humanitarian convoy delivering aid bound for Gaza were stopped, according to the nation's diplomatic authorities.

More than 470 people were detained, as reported by law enforcement authorities. The foreign office indicated that authorities were in the process of expelling the remaining individuals.

Interception Operation

The expulsions coincide with the final vessel of the GSF was intercepted by Israeli authorities on Friday morning.

The GSF described the Israeli actions as illegal, while Israeli officials portrayed the flotilla's mission as a "intentional confrontation".

The blocking of the humanitarian mission sparked protests globally, including a nationwide work stoppage in the European nation.

Open Seas Operation

The first ships were boarded on midweek about 70 nautical miles away from the Gaza shoreline in international waters and others nearer. Israel has been patrolling this zone but lacks legal authority there.

Israel said its maritime military had instructed the boats to redirect as they were "heading toward an military operation area and disregarding a legal maritime closure", while the flotilla organizers asserted the boardings were "unlawful".

Authority Announcements

"Already four Italian citizens have been removed. The others are being prepared for expulsion. The nation is eager to conclude this process as rapidly as possible."

The declaration added that all detainees were unharmed and in satisfactory physical state. The GSF has stated that numerous volunteers were targeted with water spraying equipment while their boats were intercepted.

Notable Participants

The foreign ministry's communication mentioned the participation of Swedish activist Greta Thunberg on a participating vessel, but provided no further details on her status.

"Over 38 hours, government naval units improperly stopped each of the 42 of our vessels—each transporting humanitarian aid, activists, and the resolve to challenge the nation's illegal siege on Gaza."

Last Boarding

The organization stated the remaining of its boats, the named vessel, was improperly stopped at mid-morning on the final day of the week, about 42.5 nautical miles from the coastal territory in international waters.

"Live streams and communications have been disconnected, and the whereabouts of participants and crew continues to be uncertain," the GSF announced.

"This constitutes an unlawful action on civilian aid workers. We call on national authorities and international institutions to require their prompt security and liberation."

Concluding Scenes

In a livestream from the last ship, a participant was observed displaying a written sign to the recording device saying "A vessel is visible!" moments before the morning hour.

Approximately 30 minutes later, a dinghy occupied by armed troops wearing military attire pulled alongside the vessel, with a significantly bigger government boat discernible in the distance.

Tracking Information

The current positioning on the Marinette, via the convoy's tracking website, placed it around 50 miles from the Palestinian shoreline at 10:07 - moments before it was boarded.

The largest portion of the boats participating in the flotilla are not visible on maritime monitoring services analyzed by different services.

Several of the vessels stopped on Thursday are now docked at the government maritime facility, according to tracking website data.

Global Reactions

The GSF flotilla set sail for Gaza from the European nation at the recent period, with additional vessels joining from Tunisia and other ports subsequently, the coalition reported.

Protests in backing for the aid convoy and against the conflict in the territory intensified globally as the ships came closer to the region, in countries comprising the European nation, the Mediterranean country, the South American nation and the Latin American country.