The number of Italians on the Global Sumud Flotilla who have been arrested by Israel has risen to 40, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday.

Like the others, they will be taken to the port of Ashdod and expelled from Israel within a couple of days, or face trial if they oppose expulsion.

40 of the Flotilla’s 47 boats have been stopped and a handful are reported to be still heading on the mission to bring aid to Gaza.