Israel Deports Gaza Flotilla Activists; First Group Arrives in Turkey
Hızlı Bakış
- Israel confirmed deporting all foreign activists seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla.
- The first group of 422 activists, including 85 Turkish nationals, arrived in Turkey after being intercepted at sea.
- One activist reported being beaten by Israeli forces.
Yapay zekâ özeti
Israel said on Thursday it had deported all the foreign activists seized by its forces from a Gaza-bound flotilla, as the first group arrived in Turkey following global outcry over their treatment in custody.
Hundreds of activists from countries around the world were placed in detention in Israel after they were intercepted at sea Monday while making the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Turkish foreign ministry sources said 422 activists, including 85 Turkish nationals, were flown from southern Israel on three planes chartered by Ankara.
Those deportation flights were confirmed by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which said several other activists had been deported to their home countries directly.
A first group of arrivals were seen inside the VIP terminal at Istanbul airport, as a crowd of supporters carrying Palestinian flags gathered to welcome them.
Israeli forces “attacked us. Each of us was beaten, women and men … It’s what Palestinians experience all the time,” said Turkish national Bulal Kitay, after he got off the plane.
