Israel has deported 137 activists, who were detained from the Sumud Flotilla on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, to Turkey. The country’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the matter in a statement on Saturday (October 4).
Last week, the Israeli navy intercepted the Gaza-bound flotilla, which consisted of around 45 vessels carrying more than 500 activists. Following widespread international criticism, a portion of the detainees has now been sent back.
According to Israeli daily Haaretz, the deported group includes citizens from the United Kingdom, United States, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, Malaysia, Bahrain, Morocco, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Turkey. Among them, at least 36 are Turkish nationals.
Video footage showed the activists being flown to Turkey on a special aircraft. From there, they are expected to return to their respective home countries.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that four other activists had already been sent back earlier.
The flotilla was organized by journalists, human rights activists, and volunteers from different countries to show solidarity with Palestine and deliver aid to Gaza. However, before reaching the Gazan coast, the Israeli navy raided the vessels and detained all passengers.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry claimed that the activists brought only a “small amount of aid” and refused to deliver it through Israeli channels. Authorities accused them of attempting to provoke unrest under the guise of aid distribution. Meanwhile, the international community has raised serious concerns about Israel’s role in the operation.