Turkey Confirms 137 Gaza Flotilla Activists to Arrive in Istanbul After Israel Release – 4 Oct 2025

137 Gaza Flotilla Activists to Arrive in Istanbul, Turkey Confirms

Turkey has announced that Israel has agreed to release and deport 137 activists who were detained during the Gaza aid flotilla mission. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a special Turkish Airlines flight will bring the activists to Istanbul, scheduled to land at 3:40 PM local time on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Among the passengers are 36 Turkish citizens, while the rest come from countries including the United States, Italy, Malaysia, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Kuwait, and others.

These individuals were part of the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” an international humanitarian mission aimed at breaking Israel’s naval blockade and delivering aid to the people of Gaza. The flotilla consisted of multiple boats carrying activists, journalists, and aid workers from across the globe. Israeli naval forces intercepted the ships last week, detaining nearly 450 participants in total.

Eyewitnesses alleged that many detainees were restrained with plastic zip ties for five to six hours without access to water, medical assistance, or restroom facilities. Human rights organizations condemned these actions as inhumane and potentially in violation of international norms, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry insisted that all activists were safe and would be repatriated as quickly as possible.

The Turkish government welcomed the release of its citizens, calling it a significant diplomatic achievement. Turkey’s Foreign Minister stated that the activists deserved to be treated with dignity and fairness, emphasizing that their arrest raises serious questions about the legality of Israel’s actions and broader violations of human rights.

Other countries, including Italy, Morocco, and Tunisia, have also demanded the safe return of their nationals. Italy confirmed that several of its citizens remain in Israeli custody, with diplomatic efforts ongoing for their release. Meanwhile, Qatar and Egypt expressed concern over the detentions and urged Israel to stop obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

On Friday, Israeli forces intercepted the last remaining aid vessel, the “Marinet,” near Gaza, detaining all passengers on board. Organizers of the flotilla said their mission aimed to send a strong message to the world — that Gaza urgently needs food, medicine, and essential supplies. They argued that if the international community remains silent, the humanitarian crisis will only deepen.

This development has reignited global debate over Israel’s blockade of Gaza and the detention of humanitarian activists. In Istanbul, human rights organizations and civil society groups are preparing to welcome the activists upon arrival. The incident once again places Israel’s actions under international scrutiny, raising questions about humanitarian law, accountability, and the right to aid access for civilians in conflict zones.

The world will now be watching closely to see whether this diplomatic gesture leads to meaningful accountability or remains a symbolic act.