A Turkish Airlines flight carrying 137 Global Sumud Flotilla activists landed at Istanbul Airport early Saturday. The plane arrived from Israel’s Ramon Airport, carrying participants from several countries.
The group included 36 Turkish nationals and 23 Malaysians, along with activists from the U.S., UAE, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Jordan. Turkish officials and supporters welcomed the passengers warmly at the VIP Lounge.
The Global Sumud Flotilla activists were detained by Israeli forces on October 1st after their fleet came under attack in international waters. The flotilla was attempting to break the Gaza blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to civilians trapped in the besieged enclave.
Officials said all returning passengers will receive medical checks at the airport. Istanbul police will then question the Turkish nationals as part of an investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. The inquiry focuses on Israel’s detention of Turkish citizens outside its territorial jurisdiction.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the passengers on board represented a wide international coalition united by a humanitarian mission. The ministry reaffirmed Turkey’s position that Israel’s interception of the flotilla violates international law and fundamental human rights.
The Global Sumud Flotilla activists described their mission as a symbol of courage and solidarity. “We came to deliver hope, not harm,” one activist told reporters after landing. “The world cannot stay silent while Gaza suffers.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla remains the largest civilian fleet ever organized to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Its ships carried medical supplies, food, and relief materials for thousands of displaced families.
