Ankara: Turkey announced on Saturday that 137 activists detained by Israel during a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla will be flown back to Istanbul on a special Turkish Airlines flight. The group includes 36 Turkish nationals alongside citizens from the United States, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Jordan. The flight is expected to land after 3:40 PM local time.
The detained activists were part of a larger flotilla of about 40 boats carrying more than 450 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The mission aimed to deliver aid to Gaza, which has been under a strict Israeli naval blockade. Israel intercepted the flotilla on October 2, citing security concerns and the flotilla's approach toward an "active combat zone."
Italian officials confirmed that 26 Italians are among the returnees, while 15 others remain in Israeli custody, set for deportation next week. Several Italian parliamentarians who were part of the flotilla described harsh treatment, including being zip-tied and forced to kneel for hours, sparking widespread international criticism.
Israel's Foreign Ministry, however, maintained that all detainees were safe and in good health, expressing its intent to complete the deportations swiftly. Human rights organizations, including Adalah, reported that activists were denied access to legal counsel, water, medication, and toilet facilities during detention, escalating global concerns over their treatment.
The flotilla, which set sail in late August, represents one of the latest civilian efforts to challenge the blockade of Gaza, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. Turkey’s intervention in facilitating the return of its citizens underscores the diplomatic complexities surrounding international activism and Middle East security.