The yacht, named the Madleen, was intercepted early Monday before it could reach Gaza, reports BBC.
Israeli officials confirmed the activist were trying to deliver a “symbolic” shipment of aid to the stricken territory. Israeli Foreign Ministry officials called the mission a “selfie yacht.”
After the vessel was escorted to the port of Ashdod, all passengers were taken to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, those who refused to sign deportation papers would face judicial proceedings to authorize forced removal from the country.
The ministry said on Tuesday that Thunberg had left Israel on a flight to Sweden via France, and shared a photo of the young activist on a plane. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that five of the six French nationals detained on the ship with her refused to sign deportation orders and would face legal action.
Citizens from several countries—including Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkey—were also aboard The Madleen. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition stated all 12 detainees arrived in Ashdod and expected those who reject deportation to be held in a detention center near Tel Aviv.
In a statement, the FFC called for the immediate release of all activists and the return of their cargo, describing their detention as “unlawful” and a breach of international law.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the aid, consisting of baby formula and medicine, would be sent to Gaza through “real humanitarian channels.”
Israel called the ship a “gimmick” and said the blockade was “consistent with international law..” They went on to say that breaches of the blockade are “dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.”
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that the blockade is necessary as to not allow Hamas to receive weapons through smugglers.
