Israel Releases 45 Gaza Aid Activists, Now in Jordan After Detention

Jordan has received forty-five international activists who were detained by Israeli forces during their humanitarian mission to break the Gaza blockade. The activists crossed into Jordan via the King Hussein Bridge border crossing on Sunday following their release from Israeli detention facilities where they had been held since Wednesday's naval interception.

According to Jordan's Foreign Ministry, the transfer of the 45 freed activists was coordinated with several embassies to facilitate their return to home countries. The group comprises citizens from numerous nations including Tunisia, Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Finland, the United States, and Canada. This diplomatic effort ensured the safe passage of the activists from Israeli custody through the West Bank crossing into Jordan.

The detention stemmed from an Israeli naval operation on Wednesday when military forces attacked a nine-vessel convoy organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The humanitarian mission aimed to deliver aid to Gaza and challenge Israel's longstanding blockade of the territory. Israeli authorities seized approximately 150 activists during the maritime operation, continuing a pattern of intercepting Gaza-bound aid ships that dates back years.

This incident occurred against the backdrop of the recent ceasefire agreement announced Thursday, which aims to conclude two years of intense conflict in Gaza. The Palestinian enclave has suffered extensive destruction and loss of life during the hostilities, with over 67,600 fatalities reported since October 2023. The flotilla mission sought to highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza despite the newly announced cessation of hostilities.