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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Thursday that special flights would transport Turkish citizens detained by Israel, as well as participants from other countries, back to Türkiye following Israel's interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.
"We plan to bring our citizens and participants from third countries to Türkiye today through special flights," Fidan said in a statement.
The top Turkish diplomat also noted that Ankara is working with all relevant institutions to ensure the safe and secure return of its citizens. He reaffirmed Türkiye's continued support for the Palestinian people and its humanitarian responsibilities toward civilians in Gaza.
Detainees from the flotilla were expected to arrive in Istanbul at around 3:00 p.m. GMT (6:00 p.m. local time) on Thursday, according to the Global Sumud Flotilla Crisis Desk.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed on Thursday that Spanish citizens from the flotilla were being transferred to the Ramon Airport in Israel for deportation via Türkiye.
"Spain's consul in Israel has just informed us that they are already being transferred to the Ramon Airport, together with the other activists, in order to be deported, as all indications suggest, via Türkiye," Albares told broadcaster La Hora de La 1.
He noted the routing had not yet been officially confirmed and described it as what was "being discussed among the consuls and observed on the ground."
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of 50 vessels carrying 428 people from 44 countries, including 78 Turkish citizens, departed last Thursday from the Turkish district of Marmaris.
All 50 vessels were seized by Israel in international waters, the flotilla said.
The repatriation effort unfolded as Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's video of the detained activists ignited a global diplomatic crisis.
The footage, captioned "Welcome to Israel" and posted on X, shows dozens of activists kneeling with their hands cuffed behind their backs and foreheads on the ground while the Israeli national anthem plays in the background. Ben-Gvir can be seen heckling detainees and waving an Israeli flag among them.
In separate footage, Israeli police forcibly pushed a female activist to the ground after she shouted "Free Palestine" during Ben-Gvir's walkthrough. Ben-Gvir can be heard saying, "That's how it should be done."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Ben-Gvir's conduct was "not in line with Israel's values and norms" and said authorities would deport the activists "as soon as possible."
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Ben-Gvir had "knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display, and not for the first time."
Ben-Gvir responded in parliament: "I am proud to be the minister in charge of the organizations that operated today against those supporters of terror."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee denounced what he called Ben-Gvir's "despicable actions," as he wrote on X: "Flotilla was stupid stunt, but Ben-Gvir betrayed dignity of his nation."
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley called the treatment "disgusting and inhumane."
"When we see images of Gaza, destroyed communities and desperate families, we know why people are called to action," Merkley said.
Senator Chris Van Hollen said Ben-Gvir "should've been sanctioned by the U.S. long ago," adding that this was how Ben-Gvir treated detainees "when he knows the cameras are rolling, to say nothing of what happens to Palestinians behind closed doors."
France and Belgium summoned Israeli ambassadors in their capitals, with Paris calling Ben-Gvir's actions "unacceptable." European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said, "No one should be punished for defending humanity."
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Poland and Türkiye also condemned the incident.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the treatment "abominable" and said the Israeli ambassador would be summoned.
Ireland's Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she was "appalled and shocked" and demanded the immediate release of the activists, who include the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.
Israeli rights group Adalah separately documented testimonies of abuse in Israeli custody. At least three activists were hospitalized with serious injuries, while dozens were suspected of suffering broken ribs and breathing difficulties.
Adalah said its legal team collected matching testimonies of repeated electric shocks against detainees, accounts of detainees being forced to walk fully bent forward during transfer to Ashdod Port, and the forced removal of headscarves from female activists.
Information on detainees' whereabouts, legal status and well-being had been "severely restricted," Adalah said.
"Israel is employing a criminal policy of abuse and humiliation against activists seeking to confront Israel's ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people," the group said.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007.
The Israeli army launched an offensive on Gaza in October 2023, killing more than 72,000 people and injuring over 172,000.
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