Activists detained following Israel’s intervention in the Mediterranean against the Sumud Global Flotilla, which was headed for Gaza, have arrived in Turkey, reports Anadolu.

A Turkish Airlines flight carrying 59 activists from various countries, including 18 Turkish citizens, landed at Istanbul Airport tonight after departing from the Greek island of Crete.

Flight TK6934 arrived at 21:45 local time, where the passengers were met by family members and officials at the VIP terminal of the airport.

After the reception, the activists are expected to undergo medical examinations at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Istanbul as part of an investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the sources of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, two Turkish citizens who could not board the flight due to medical checks are expected to return to Turkey tomorrow.

On the flight that arrived tonight were 59 activists, including 18 Turkish citizens, as well as citizens from the US (4), Argentina (5), Australia (2), Bahrain (1), Brazil (2), the United Kingdom (6), the Netherlands (1), Spain (3), Italy (2), Malaysia (10), Mexico (1), Pakistan (1), Chile (1) and New Zealand. (2).

The Sumud Global Flotilla was attacked on Thursday near the Greek island of Crete, about 600 nautical miles from its destination, the blockade-ravaged Gaza enclave.

The first ships of the flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid, departed from Barcelona on April 12, while the main fleet departed from the Italian island of Sicily on April 26, aiming to defying Israel’s years-long blockade of Gaza.

Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, leaving its 2.4 million residents facing severe shortages of food and essential supplies.

The Israeli military launched an offensive on Gaza in October 2023, killing more than 72,000 people, injuring over 172,000 more and causing widespread destruction throughout the enclave.

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Source: prizrenpost