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A vessel of the civilian, Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, after being intercepted by the Israeli authorities while carrying aid to Gaza, arrives at Ashdod port, Israel, October 2, 2025. /VCG
A total of 137 activists, including 36 Turkish nationals who Israel had detained for taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, an aid mission bound for Gaza, were flown to Türkiye on Saturday.
The Turkish Airlines flight carrying the activists departed from Ramon Airport in Israel's southern city of Eilat and landed at Istanbul Airport at 3:50 p.m. local time (1250 GMT), where they were received by officials and a large crowd.
According to the state-run TRT broadcaster, the activists will undergo health checks and be taken to the Istanbul Police Department to give statements as part of an investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the detention of Turkish citizens in international waters following Israel's interception of the flotilla.
Foreign ministry sources confirmed that among those returning were citizens of the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Jordan.
Read more:
CGTN exclusive interview with partner of detained crew on flotilla ship
An activist holds a Palestinian flag in front of a boat of the civilian, Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla as it is docked at the port in Larnaca, Cyprus, October 3, 2025. /VCG
The flotilla, comprising 42 vessels and more than 400 volunteers from over 40 countries, set sail in August to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza and deliver vital humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies.
However, Israeli forces intercepted all the vessels in international waters.
Israel imposed a naval blockade on Gaza in 2007 after Hamas seized control of the enclave. The restrictions were further tightened following Hamas's cross-border assault into southern Israel in October 2023.