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  "path": "/partner/turkey-charter-flights-israel-flotilla",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-21T12:26:14.000Z",
  "site": "https://nukta.com",
  "tags": [
    "international condemnation",
    "detainees forced to kneel"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nTurkey on Thursday announced it was sending charter flights to Israel to repatriate hundreds of Gaza flotilla activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted their vessels. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the move following international condemnation of footage showing activists kneeling with their hands bound.\n\n#### What is Turkey doing to bring the flotilla activists home?\n\nTurkey is organizing three charter flights to Ramon Airport, around 20 kilometers from Eilat in southern Israel, with capacity for more than 400 passengers. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the flights would carry Turkish citizens and participants from third countries back to Istanbul, with arrivals expected at the city's European-side airport at around 6:00 pm local time (1500 GMT).\n\n#### How did Israeli forces detain the Gaza flotilla activists?\n\nAround 50 vessels departed Turkey on May 14 to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza, with a handful of additional ships joining at sea. Israeli forces began intercepting the flotilla off Cyprus on Tuesday. Israeli officials and flotilla organizers both said approximately 430 activists were detained and transferred to Israel.\n\nFootage posted by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showed detainees forced to kneel with their hands tied behind their backs and their foreheads to the ground. The images drew widespread condemnation. Ankara said the scenes \"openly demonstrated to the world the violent and barbaric mentality\" of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.\n\nLocal media reported 78 Turkish nationals were among the flotilla participants. Flotilla organizers said activists would land at Istanbul airport by early evening.\n\n#### Why did the flotilla try to reach Gaza?\n\nThe Hamas-run Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007, with Israel controlling all entry points. The territory has faced severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023. This flotilla was the third attempt in a year to break that blockade.",
  "title": "Turkey sends charter flights to Israel to repatriate Gaza flotilla activists"
}