Irish activists detained by Israel after attempting to breach the blockade of Gaza are expected to be released today and could be back in Ireland within hours, according to campaigners supporting the flotilla mission.
Irish activist Caoimhe Butterly, who is supporting the Global Sumud Flotilla, told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that the detained activists — including Dr Catherine Connolly’s sister — are expected to be transported to Istanbul before travelling onwards to Ireland.
She said some could be on flights home as early as Thursday evening or Friday morning.
The developments come amid mounting international criticism over footage released by Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing detained flotilla activists handcuffed, kneeling and being mocked while in Israeli custody.
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The videos sparked backlash not only from European governments but also from within Israel’s own government, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly distancing himself from Ben-Gvir’s actions.
While Netanyahu defended Israel’s decision to stop what he described as “provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters”, he said Ben-Gvir’s handling of the detainees “is not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin strongly condemned the treatment of the Irish activists, describing the footage as “disgusting”, “disgraceful” and “shocking.”
“We’re appalled and shocked at the behaviour of Minister Ben-Gvir in respect of how he heckled and mocked, essentially, and insulted people on the Sumud Flotilla, and also the manner in which they’ve been tied with [their] hands tied behind their back and so on,” Martin said.
“It’s shocking footage. And many other European countries have articulated our absolute disgust with what has transpired here.”
The Taoiseach said he intended to raise the issue at EU level and accused Israel of conduct that was “completely out of step with and in breach of international military law.”
“It’s disgusting behaviour, it’s disgraceful. It’s a blight on the Israeli government and other European leaders are likewise calling this out,” he added.
Footage released by Ben-Gvir showed dozens of activists with their hands tied behind their backs kneeling with their heads lowered inside what appeared to be a makeshift detention facility at Ashdod port and aboard one of the seized vessels.
In one clip, Ben-Gvir walked among detainees waving a large Israeli flag while declaring: “Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords.”
Another activist, shouting “Free Palestine” while handcuffed, was immediately shoved to the ground by security personnel as Ben-Gvir walked past.
In a separate video, the minister mocked the activists further, saying: “They came here all full of pride like big heroes. Look at them now.”
He then appealed to Netanyahu to allow the detainees to remain imprisoned.
“I say to Prime Minister Netanyahu, give them to me for a long, long time, give them to us for the terrorist prisons, that’s what it should look like,” Ben-Gvir said.
Netanyahu later stated he had instructed authorities to deport the activists “as soon as possible.”
The incident triggered a rare public rebuke from Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar, who criticised Ben-Gvir directly on social media.
“You knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display,” Sa’ar wrote on X.
“No, you are not the face of Israel.”
Ben-Gvir hit back during a session of the Israeli parliament, accusing Sa’ar of “bowing to the terrorists.”
He argued that apologising to the flotilla activists would project “weakness”, “submission” and “surrender.”
The Israel-based legal organisation Adalah, also known as the Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, accused Israeli authorities of carrying out a “criminal policy of abuse and humiliation against activists.”
The group said the treatment mirrored previous flotilla interdictions where activists allegedly faced mistreatment “for which Israel faced zero accountability.”
Organisers of the flotilla, which involved activists from more than 40 countries, claimed those detained were “being subjected to violent abuse after being illegally abducted at sea.”
Utterly appalling and unacceptable behaviour by Minister Gvir and the Israeli government. Our Embassy has formally raised this matter with the Israeli authorities and have demanded proper and humane treatment of Irish citizen. These actions cannot be allowed to continue. https://t.co/2pfurpLjXd
— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) May 20, 2026
International condemnation has continued to grow.
Italy condemned the treatment of the activists as a violation of human dignity and said the scenes involving Ben-Gvir were “unacceptable.” Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed it would summon Israel’s ambassador for clarification.
Both Turkey and Greece also criticised Israel’s actions.
Turkey’s foreign ministry said the incident “openly demonstrated to the world the violent and barbaric mindset” of Israel’s government.
Greece described Ben-Gvir’s behaviour as “unacceptable and entirely condemnable” and confirmed a formal diplomatic protest had been lodged.
Meanwhile, Palestinian militant group Hamas accused Ben-Gvir of displaying “moral decadence and sadism” through the “scenes of abuse and humiliation.”
The flotilla was the latest attempt by international activists to challenge Israel’s long-running blockade of Gaza and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis facing nearly two million Palestinians in the territory.
Israeli forces boarded the final flotilla vessel on Tuesday after intercepting dozens of boats in international waters near Cyprus.
Flotilla organisers claimed Israeli soldiers fired on five vessels during the operation, causing damage to some boats.
However, Israel’s foreign ministry denied using live ammunition and said only “non-lethal means” were used as warnings without targeting or injuring activists.
According to flotilla organisers, Israeli forces began intercepting boats roughly 167 miles (268km) from Gaza’s coastline.
The vessels had departed from Turkey last week carrying what organisers described as symbolic aid supplies.
Israel dismissed the operation as “a PR stunt at the service of Hamas” and argued the flotilla had no realistic intention of delivering aid.
The flotilla controversy comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007.
The blockade was significantly tightened following the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, during which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage.
Israel says the blockade is necessary to stop Hamas from obtaining weapons, while critics argue it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population.
Egypt, which controls Gaza’s only crossing not directly controlled by Israel, has also heavily restricted movement in and out of the territory.
