Detained activists from a flotilla of boats attempting to enter Gaza arrive in Israel’s port city of Ashdod after being taken there by Israeli naval ships. Multiple outlets report the arrivals occur on Wednesday, with the activists held after their attempt to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
CBC News and other coverage say Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tells the detained people they should remain in prison for a “long, long time.” The South China Morning Post adds that Ben-Gvir releases a video showing him walking among detainees escorted by police and soldiers, waving an Israeli flag and addressing the group with the same warning about their continued detention.
All reports characterize the message as a threat of extended incarceration by Ben-Gvir, while describing the activists’ transfer to Ashdod under Israeli military custody. The sources also note the group consists of roughly 430 detained activists, according to the reporting that references the video footage.
