As the activists kidnapped by the Israeli navy in international waters begin to be repatriated, sources in Israel claim that the process was delayed because the passengers of the MV Rachel Corrie would not sign documents pledging not to sue after their release. In the meantime, Israel is continuing to detain eight people from the Irish-flagged ship.

The Rachel Corrie was carrying eleven activists from Ireland, Malaysia, Britain, Cuba and the Philippines, plus a crew of eight. Around 550 tonnes of humanitarian aid was on board when it was stopped by the Israeli navy and forced to sail to Ashdod instead of Gaza.