Activist Greta Thunberg deported after aid ship Madleen seized by Israel

Jerusalem (Web Desk/Agencies): Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was deported from Israel on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

According to international media reports, her deportation came a day after the Israeli navy intercepted a vessel she was aboard, which was attempting to sail to Gaza in defiance of the country's longstanding naval blockade.

Thunberg, 22, was placed on a flight to France, with plans to continue on to her home country of Sweden. Three other individuals who were on the same vessel agreed to immediate repatriation.

However, eight additional crew members are contesting the deportation order.

According to a statement from the Israeli human rights organization Adalah, which is providing legal support, those contesting their removal will be held in a detention center until a court hearing is scheduled. It remains unclear when that hearing will take place.

The interception occurred early Monday as the charity boat approached the Gaza coast.

The Israeli navy boarded the vessel, which was attempting to breach the naval blockade that has drawn increased global scrutiny since Israel also closed land access to Gaza in March.

Currently, only limited shipments of food and aid are allowed into Gaza, and these are distributed by organizations approved by Israel.

The yacht, which sailed under a British flag, was redirected to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The 12-member crew was then transferred overnight to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

The activists had been transporting a small amount of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula, and stated that their mission was intended to highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has suffered extensive damage and deprivation during months of ongoing conflict.