Turkey says citizens from Gaza aid flotilla to return on special flight Saturday

ANKARA, Oct 4 (Reuters) – Thirty-six Turkish nationals aboard vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was seized by Israeli forces, are expected to return to Turkey on a special flight on Saturday afternoon, the Turkish foreign ministry said. Citizens of other countries are also expected to be on board the flight, it added. "The final number has not yet been confirmed," the ministry said in a statement. The plane, operated by Turkish Airlines, is expected to land at Istanbul Airport sometime after 1430 local time (1130 GMT), the ministry said. Work was also under way to complete procedures for remaining Turkish citizens as soon as possible, it said. Israel faced international condemnation on Thursday after its military intercepted almost all of about 40 boats in a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza and took captive more than 450 foreign activists. The flotilla, which set sail in late August, marked the latest attempt by activists to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza where Israel has been waging an offensive since Hamas’ October 2023 attack. Israeli officials have repeatedly denounced the mission as a stunt. The Israeli foreign ministry had said the flotilla was previously warned that it was approaching an active combat zone and violating a "lawful naval blockade," and asked organisers to change course. In 2010, 10 Turkish activists were killed by Israeli commandos who raided the Mavi Marmara ship leading an aid flotilla towards Gaza. (Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Susan Fenton)

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