A total of 137 international activists, including 36 Turkish nationals, arrived in Istanbul after being released from Israeli custody. The group was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission that attempted to deliver aid to Gaza before being intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters earlier this week.
The activists landed at Istanbul Airport on a special flight from Eilat’s Ramon Airport on Saturday afternoon. They were welcomed by officials from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry and humanitarian organizations.
✈️ Details of the Release
More than 450 activists from over 40 countries were detained when the flotilla — comprising around 40 boats — was stopped by the Israeli navy. After diplomatic negotiations, 137 were released and flown to Türkiye. Citizens from several countries, including the U.S., Malaysia, Italy, Tunisia, and Jordan, were among those on the flight.
⚖️ Claims and Responses
Some of the released activists claimed mistreatment during detention, alleging they were forced to kneel for hours, denied access to medical care, and had personal belongings confiscated. Israeli officials, however, denied the allegations, stating that detainees were treated in accordance with international law.
🇹🇷 Turkish Reaction
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan welcomed the activists at the airport, praising their courage and commitment to humanitarian causes.
“These brave individuals stood for humanity and justice. Türkiye will always support those who defend the rights of the oppressed,” Fidan said.
Medical teams were present to conduct health checks on the returnees, while some activists were scheduled to provide official statements to Turkish authorities regarding their experience.
🌍 Global Significance
The flotilla incident has reignited global attention on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and sparked protests across multiple countries. Human rights groups have called for an international investigation into the interception and detention of the activists.
The Global Sumud Flotilla movement vows to continue its efforts to deliver aid and raise awareness about the ongoing blockade on Gaza.
