It's touchdown time! Early on Saturday, Turkish Airlines flight brought 137 Gaza flotilla activists back to Istanbul. These brave souls had been held by Israeli forces after trying to deliver aid to Gaza. ✈️
The group includes 36 Turkish nationals and citizens from the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia and Jordan. The flight was scheduled to land after 3:40 p.m. local time (12:40 GMT), according to Türkiye's foreign ministry.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that 26 Italians were on board, with 15 more activists – including some from other countries – still in Israel and expected to be expelled next week. A first wave of four Italian parliamentarians already arrived in Rome on Friday. 🇮🇹
The Israeli military intercepted about 40 boats from the flotilla, detaining over 450 activists in late August, drawing sharp international criticism. In a post on X, Israel’s foreign ministry assured that all detainees were "safe and in good health" and said they aimed to complete deportations swiftly.
Meanwhile, Adalah, an Israeli legal aid group, reported that some activists faced harsh treatment, denying them access to lawyers, water, medications and even toilets. The flotilla mission aimed to challenge the naval blockade of Gaza, which Israeli officials described as a "lawful" measure against breaches.
For many observers, this latest chapter is more than just a breaking news story – it’s a reminder of the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the region. Stay tuned as more activists make their journey home, and the world watches closely. 🌍✨
Reference(s):
Türkiye says 137 Gaza flotilla activists to arrive in Istanbul
cgtn.com
