21.05.2026 11:32
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, 'We plan to bring our citizens and participants from third countries to Turkey with special flights we will organize today (the Global Sumud Fleet).' Turkish Airlines sent 3 planes to Israel to pick up the activists.
Activists on the Global Sumud Fleet detained by Israel are expected to arrive in Istanbul around 18:00 this evening.
In a statement on the matter, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan stated that they are working with all institutions to bring back the activists detained in Israel, saying, "We plan to bring our citizens and participants from third countries to Turkey with special flights we will organize today (from the Global Sumud Fleet)."
Turkish Airlines (THY) sent 3 planes to Israel to pick up the activists on the Sumud Fleet.
"ACTIVISTS ON THE FLEET ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRIES TODAY"
According to the information provided by the Global Sumud Fleet Crisis Desk, the activists on the fleet are planned to return to their countries today. The activists are expected to arrive in Istanbul in the evening hours.
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ISRAELI ARMY ATTACKS ON THE GLOBAL SUMUD FLEET
The Global Sumud Fleet 2026 Spring Mission, which aimed to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip and deliver vital humanitarian aid, was subjected to an unlawful intervention by the Israeli army on the night of April 29, a few nautical miles outside Greek territorial waters off the coast of Crete Island.
In its attack in international waters, 600 nautical miles from Gaza, the Israeli army detained and mistreated 177 activists.
ANOTHER ATTACK ON MAY 18
The Israeli army launched a new attack on May 18 against a fleet of 50 boats, carrying 428 activists from 44 countries, while sailing in international waters towards Gaza, and unlawfully detained the activists. The fleet included 78 Turkish participants.
In August 2025, the Israeli army carried out a similar attack on the Global Sumud Fleet, which was heading to Gaza with more than 40 boats carrying 500 activists from over 44 countries.