Plane carrying Gaza-bound flotilla activists lands in Istanbul after Israeli interception

ISTANBUL / PNN/A chartered plane carrying 59 activists from the “Global Sumud Flotilla” landed at Istanbul Airport on Friday evening, a day after the group came under an Israeli attack in international waters of the Mediterranean while attempting to break the blockade on Gaza.According to Anadolu Agency, the Turkish Airlines flight arrived from the Greek island of Crete at 9:45 p.m. local time, carrying activists from multiple countries, including 18 Turkish nationals.Family members and officials welcomed the activists in the VIP lounge at the airport. Following the reception, the group was expected to undergo medical examinations at Istanbul’s Forensic Medicine Institute as part of an investigation launched by the city’s public prosecutor.Turkish Foreign Ministry sources later said two Turkish citizens were expected to return on Saturday after missing the flight due to medical checks.Passengers on board included nationals from the United States, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Chile, and New Zealand, in addition to Turkey.The flotilla, part of the “Spring 2026 Mission,” had set sail from Italy’s Sicily on Sunday with the stated aim of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenging the Israeli blockade.On Wednesday evening, Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in international waters off Crete. Flotilla organizers said the convoy included 345 participants from 39 countries.According to the organizers, Israeli forces seized 21 boats during the operation, while 17 vessels managed to enter Greek territorial waters. Fourteen others were still en route.The initiative marks the second such effort by the flotilla following a previous mission in September 2025, which ended with an Israeli interception the following month and the detention and deportation of hundreds of international activists.The Gaza Strip has been facing a severe humanitarian and health crisis since the start of Israel’s military campaign, with widespread destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals and healthcare facilities. The territory is also grappling with strict restrictions on fuel and medical supplies, alongside critical shortages of medicines and equipment.