Lisbon, Oct. 2, 2025 (Lusa) - The government announced on Thursday that a fourth Portuguese citizen was part of the humanitarian flotilla intercepted last night by Israeli forces while trying to reach the Gaza Strip.
"A fourth Portuguese citizen has been confirmed to be part of the flotilla, which was travelling on the boat 'Selvaggia'," an official source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Lusa today.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he added, is awaiting authorisation from family members, who have contacted the Consular Emergency Office, to disclose the identity of this national citizen possibly.
Maria Elena Delia, spokeswoman for the Italian group of activists taking part in the humanitarian action "Global Sumud" (Global Resistance, in Arabic), said today that 39 ships from the flotilla had been intercepted by the Israel Defence Forces, with several smaller ships still heading for the Gaza Strip, which should have the same fate.
According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the crews were taken to the port of Ashdod and held in specific detention centres, where they can accept immediate voluntary expulsion or reject it and await a court decision.
The detainees include the MP and leader of the Bloc, actress Sofia Aparício, and activist Miguel Duarte.
According to a statement issued by Israeli diplomacy on social media, the members of the humanitarian flotilla who were arrested "are safe and in good health".
The same document indicates that Israel will begin deportation procedures to Europe after the detainees are transferred to Israeli territory.
The prime minister said today that he hoped that the Portuguese citizens detained by Israel would be able to return to the country "without any incident", considering that the message of the humanitarian flotilla had been conveyed.
The humanitarian flotilla, made up of around 50 boats (including one flying the Portuguese flag), left Spain at the end of August, intending to break the Israeli blockade and deliver supplies to the Gaza Strip, an initiative rejected by Tel Aviv, which argues that the action is supported by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
JH/ADB // ADB.
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