Spanish police detained four people at Bilbao airport after clashes erupted when activists returning from a Gaza-bound flotilla were greeted by supporters. The confrontation began when a relative attempted to approach one of the six campaigners, who had been detained and deported by Israeli forces, and was forcefully stopped by an officer.

Video footage showed officers striking individuals with batons and pinning others to the ground as tensions escalated in the arrivals hall. The Basque regional police force said the arrests were for serious disobedience, resisting arrest and assaulting law enforcement officers, and confirmed that an internal investigation has been opened to review whether proper procedures were followed.

Israel's Foreign Ministry shared footage of the airport incident and said it 'demands an explanation' from Spain regarding the treatment of the activists. The clash follows international criticism of Israel after its national security minister released a video showing detained flotilla members being forced to kneel with their hands bound, prompting widespread condemnation from dozens of countries.