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Four Italian citizens have been removed from the country after being taken into custody when ships part of a humanitarian convoy delivering humanitarian assistance headed toward Gaza were boarded, according to the nation's foreign ministry.

More than 470 individuals were taken into custody, according to law enforcement authorities. The foreign office announced that authorities were in the process of deporting the others.

Maritime Intervention

The deportations come as the last boat of the GSF was boarded by Israeli authorities on Friday's early hours.

The flotilla organizers called Israel's interceptions as unlawful, while Israel characterized the flotilla's mission as a "intentional confrontation".

The blocking of the aid convoy triggered rallies internationally, comprising a general strike in the European nation.

Maritime Zone Incident

The initial vessels were boarded on midweek about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza shoreline in open seas and additional vessels nearer. Israel has been policing this area but has no legal authority there.

Israel stated its naval forces had instructed the vessels to alter direction as they were "moving closer to an active combat zone and breaching a legal maritime closure", while the flotilla organizers said the interceptions were "against international norms".

Authority Announcements

"Currently the Italian nationals have been deported. The rest are being prepared for expulsion. The nation is eager to complete this operation as quickly as feasible."

The statement added that all detainees were unharmed and in proper condition. The convoy leadership has stated that several volunteers were struck with water spraying equipment while their vessels were intercepted.

Prominent Figures

The government's statement mentioned the participation of Swedish activist the well-known campaigner on a convoy ship, but offered no specifics on her condition.

"Over nearly two days, Israeli occupation naval forces illegally intercepted the complete set of 42 of our ships—each carrying relief supplies, participants, and the resolve to overcome Israel's illegal siege on the Palestinian territory."

Concluding Operation

The organization stated the final of its vessels, the named vessel, was improperly stopped at the morning hours on the final day of the week, about around 50 miles from the coastal territory in international waters.

"Live streams and contact methods have been cut, and the status of individuals aboard and crew continues to be uncertain," the organization announced.

"This constitutes an illegal attack on civilian aid workers. We urge governments and international institutions to require their immediate safety and freedom."

Last Communications

In a livestream from the last ship, a participant was seen displaying a piece of paper to the recording device stating "A vessel is visible!" moments before 10:00 local time.

Roughly a short time afterward, a naval craft full of security forces in tactical gear came next to the ship, with a considerably larger naval ship discernible in the background.

Location Data

The current data on the Marinette, through the flotilla's monitoring system, put it around 50 miles from the Palestinian shoreline at 10:07 - shortly before it was intercepted.

The greater number of the ships involved with the aid convoy are undetectable on ship tracking sites examined by different services.

Several of the vessels intercepted on Thursday are presently moored at the government maritime facility, according to tracking website data.

Worldwide Impact

The GSF flotilla departed for Gaza from the European nation at the conclusion of the previous month, with additional vessels participating from Tunisia and other ports subsequently, the GSF stated.

Rallies in support of the humanitarian mission and opposing the conflict in the territory ramped up around the world as the ships neared the region, in countries including the European nation, Italy, the South American nation and Argentina.