A flight carrying detained participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla has landed in Istanbul after the activists were intercepted and detained by Israeli forces in international waters, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced.

A flight carrying detained participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla has landed in Istanbul after the activists were intercepted and detained by Israeli forces, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced.

The flight, which transited through Crete, Greece, brought back nationals from 15 different countries spanning four continents.According to the details released, the largest group consisted of 10 Malaysian nationals, followed by 6 Britons, 5 Argentinians, 4 Americans, 3 Spaniards, 2 Australians, 2 Brazilians, 2 Italians, and 2 New Zealanders. Single nationals from Bahrain, the Netherlands, Mexico, Pakistan, and Chile were also among those on board.

Eighteen Turkish nationals were part of the group that arrived in Istanbul. Two additional Turkish citizens were held back in Crete for medical checks and are expected to return to Türkiye on Friday.

The detainees were released to Greek authorities in Crete before boarding the onward flight to Istanbul, indicating coordination between Israeli, Greek, and Turkish officials in facilitating the return of the international group.

The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. (ILKHA)