Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Turkish citizens and participants from third countries who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla will be brought to Türkiye via special charter flights.
Fidan made a statement regarding the evacuation of the activists detained as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla initiative.
“Today, we plan to bring our citizens and participants from third countries to Türkiye through special charter flights,” Fidan said.
“Activists Expected to Arrive in Istanbul This Evening”
According to information obtained from Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, three flights are being arranged to Ramon Airport in southern Israel in order to bring back Turkish citizens and third-country nationals who were detained by Israeli forces while participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The aircraft, with a total passenger capacity exceeding 400 people, will be able to transport all flotilla participants requesting evacuation to Türkiye. The charter flights are expected to land at Istanbul Airport later this evening.
Israeli Military Intervention Against the Activists
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which had set sail toward Gaza from off the coast of Antalya on May 18, encountered intervention by the Israeli military. Subsequently, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that all 430 activists aboard the flotilla had been detained and transferred onto Israeli naval vessels.
Yesterday, after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video from Ashdod Port showing provocative behavior toward the detained activists, condemnation messages were issued by countries participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Spain, Italy, Greece, and Türkiye condemned the Israeli intervention and alleged mistreatment of the activists carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
They Had Sailed Toward Gaza
In a statement released by the Global Sumud Flotilla, it was reported that the maritime convoy had resumed its journey toward Gaza from off the coast of Antalya with 54 boats and 426 participants.
The flotilla included 96 Turkish participants, along with activists from 39 countries, including Germany, the United States, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Algeria, Indonesia, Morocco, Finland, France, South Africa, Croatia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Egypt, Mauritania, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Chile, Tunisia, Oman, Vietnam, and New Zealand.