Sri Lankan activist Sameera Mehboobdeen, who joined the international “Global Sumud Flotilla” mission aimed at breaking the naval blockade of Gaza, is safe and has been deported from Israel, according to officials and sources in touch with her.

The development comes as Israel began releasing and deporting hundreds of activists detained after attempting to breach the blockade, according to the Israel-based legal advocacy group Adalah. The organisation said most international activists were being transferred to a civilian airport near the southern Israeli city of Eilat for deportation.

Earlier on Thursday, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep concern and profound distress” over footage posted by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which allegedly showed the dehumanising treatment of detainees linked to the flotilla.

In a statement, the ministry said Sri Lanka was engaging with the Israeli Foreign Ministry through diplomatic channels to secure immediate consular access to the Sri Lankan national involved, while seeking guarantees for her safety, wellbeing and dignity, as well as her swift and safe repatriation.

“The Government of Sri Lanka remains fully committed to ensuring the protection of its citizens abroad,” the statement said.

Sources in contact with Mehboobdeen said she was safe and had been taken to Ramon Airport in Israel to board a flight to Istanbul. Sri Lankan Embassy officials were able to meet her briefly before departure and were permitted to ask only one question regarding her physical condition.

“She said she is fine,” the sources said.

Mehboobdeen is expected to arrive in Istanbul at 5:50 p.m. local time, and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Ankara has been notified to provide any necessary assistance.

Mehboobdeen left Sri Lanka in April to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international solidarity mission involving activists from nearly 100 countries seeking to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. (Newswire)

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