Israel says it has released and deported hundreds of activists who took part in a flotilla attempting to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Thursday that all foreign activists had been deported. The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel says the activists were taken to a civilian airport to board flights. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the deportations after criticizing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for taunting detained activists. The flotilla, with over 50 boats, left from Turkey to draw attention to Gaza's conditions. Israel has called it a "PR stunt" for Hamas.

The Israeli military has intercepted boats in international waters off the coast of Cyprus, part of a flotilla attempting to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. More than 50 vessels departed from Turkey last week. Organizers say the boats were intercepted Monday 250 nautical miles from Gaza's shores. Cypriot authorities confirmed the interceptions on Monday took place outside its territorial waters. Israel's Foreign Ministry called the flotilla a provocation while Turkey condemned the intervention as piracy. The blockade has been in effect since 2007, restricting movement in and out of Gaza. Previous attempts to breach the blockade have failed. Organizers hope to draw attention to Gaza's living conditions.