Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Thursday that they arranged special flights for Turkish citizens and citizens of other countries who Israel held aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Fidan said in a social media post that they were working with all relevant agencies for the safety and return of citizens held by Israel after the illegal intervention on the flotilla. “We will continue safeguarding the rights of our citizens and fulfill our responsibility towards civilians in Gaza. We will continue our support to the people of Palestine resolutely,” he said.
Turkish Foreign Ministry sources also said that three special flights would be dispatched to evacuate Turkish nationals and third-country citizens who were detained by Israeli forces while participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla. Hours after the announcement, the planes arrived in Israel and began transporting activists who were brought to Ramon Airport.
The sources said the combined passenger capacity of the aircraft exceeds 400, making it possible to evacuate all flotilla participants requesting transfer to Türkiye.
The flights are scheduled to land at Istanbul Airport later in the evening.
