WASHINGTON

A prominent US lawmaker sharply rebuffed Israel Friday for its detention of hundreds of activists, including American citizens, who sought to deliver aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, saying Israel's actions are illegal.

"The Israeli government has illegally abducted over 450 participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including nearly two dozen U.S. citizens," Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib said on the US social media company X.

"We must demand their immediate release and their protection from abuse and torture in Israeli detention. End the siege and genocide of Gaza now," she added.

According to the latest figures from the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, one of the main organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, Israel attacked and seized 42 ships from the fleet.

This marks the first time dozens of vessels sailed together toward Gaza, carrying 532 civilian solidarity activists from more than 45 countries.

Israel has maintained its blockade on Gaza for 18 years. Nearly 1.5 million Palestinians in the enclave, out of a population of approximately 2.4 million, remain homeless amid widespread displacement caused by Israel's attacks across the Palestinian territory.