Israel announced on Tuesday that Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other activists aboard the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen have been taken to a Tel Aviv airport for deportation. The boat was intercepted by Israeli naval forces and towed to the port of Ashdod.

The group departed Italy on 1 June carrying food and supplies for Gaza, where the UN has warned of a potential famine. The Israeli foreign ministry stated that those who refuse to sign deportation documents will face a judicial authority.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported that all 12 campaigners are being processed by Israeli authorities and may be allowed to leave Tel Aviv soon. French president Emmanuel Macron has requested the return of the six French nationals on board.

Adalah, an Israeli NGO, is offering legal support to the activists and anticipates they will be taken to a detention center before deportation. Turkey and Iran have condemned the interception, with Turkey calling it a 'heinous attack' and Iran labeling it 'a form of piracy'.

Israel's defense minister has defended the naval blockade on Gaza, citing the need to prevent weapon imports by Palestinian militants. Meanwhile, a land convoy from Tunisia has been launched in a symbolic attempt to break the blockade, although passage permits from Egypt are still pending.

Israel recently allowed some aid deliveries to resume after a two-month halt and is working with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the US. However, humanitarian agencies have criticized the GHF, and the UN has raised concerns over its practices and neutrality.