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Four individuals from Italy have been deported from the country after being detained when ships participating in a flotilla delivering relief supplies headed toward Gaza were stopped, according to the nation's diplomatic authorities.

More than 470 individuals were taken into custody, per information from law enforcement authorities. The ministry stated that officials were currently removing the others.

Naval Boarding

The removals occur as the last vessel of the GSF was boarded by Israeli authorities on Friday's early hours.

The flotilla organizers described Israel's interceptions as illegal, while Israel portrayed the convoy's actions as a "provocation".

The stopping of the humanitarian mission sparked rallies internationally, including a nationwide work stoppage in Italy.

Open Seas Confrontation

The primary vessels were intercepted on Wednesday about around 80 miles from the Palestinian shoreline in international waters and additional vessels in proximity. Israel has been policing this area but has no legal authority there.

Israeli officials claimed its navy had instructed the ships to change course as they were "moving closer to an military operation area and disregarding a lawful naval blockade", while the convoy representatives maintained the interceptions were "illegal".

Authority Announcements

"Thus far four individuals from Italy have been deported. The others are undergoing deportation procedures. The nation is eager to conclude this operation as rapidly as attainable."

The declaration mentioned that all apprehended individuals were unharmed and in satisfactory physical state. The flotilla organization has claimed that numerous volunteers were targeted with water spraying equipment while their boats were boarded.

Notable Participants

The foreign ministry's announcement noted the participation of environmental campaigner the well-known campaigner on one of the boats, but did not give additional information on her condition.

"Over an extended period, Israeli occupation naval forces unlawfully boarded each of the 42 of our boats—each carrying assistance materials, participants, and the determination to challenge the nation's illegal siege on Gaza."

Concluding Operation

The group reported the last of its ships, the named vessel, was improperly stopped at 10:29 local time on Friday, roughly nearly 80 kilometers from the coastal territory in open seas.

"Real-time broadcasts and transmission systems have been terminated, and the condition of individuals aboard and ship personnel remains unknown," the GSF said.

"This represents an unlawful action on civilian aid workers. We appeal to national authorities and global organizations to require their swift protection and release."

Final Moments

In a live broadcast from the Marinette, a participant was seen displaying a piece of paper to the lens saying "A vessel is visible!" moments before 10:00 local time.

Approximately half an hour afterward, a dinghy carrying armed troops wearing combat equipment came next to the Marinette, with a considerably larger naval ship discernible in the distance.

Location Data

The current data on the Marinette, through the mission's location service, put it 43 nautical miles from the Gaza coast at mid-morning - shortly before it was intercepted.

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

Several of the ships intercepted on the previous day are now anchored at the Israeli Ashdod Naval Base, according to tracking website records.

International Response

The humanitarian convoy departed for the Palestinian territory from the European nation at the end of last month, with additional vessels connecting from Tunisia and different departure points later, the coalition stated.

Protests in support of the flotilla and against the conflict in the territory intensified globally as the ships came closer to the region, in states such as Spain, Italy, the South American nation and the Latin American country.