Türkiye working to bring citizens back from Israeli detention

Türkiye is actively working to secure the safe return of its citizens who were detained by Israel following the illegal intervention against the Global Sumud Flotilla, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday. In a statement on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Fidan confirmed that special flights scheduled for later in the day would bring Turkish nationals as well as flotilla participants from third countries back to Türkiye.

Humanitarian commitment

The statement stressed that Türkiye will continue to protect the rights of its citizens while fulfilling its humanitarian responsibilities toward civilians in Gaza. Fidan reaffirmed Ankara’s continued support for the Palestinian people. The flotilla, carrying 428 people from 44 countries, departed from Marmaris last Thursday in an attempt to break Israel’s 2007 blockade on Gaza. Israeli forces attacked the aid mission in international waters, detaining all activists on board.

International response

Ten countries, including seven European nations, had summoned Israeli envoys to protest the incident. All detained activists were later released from Ktziot prison and transferred for deportation. Türkiye has been a vocal supporter of the flotilla and condemned the Israeli interception as an act of piracy. Ankara is expected to receive returning citizens and third-country nationals in the coming hours.