Sources explained that the Turkish embassy staff in Tel Aviv met with the Turkish citizens early Tuesday morning, providing them with all forms of consular support, and informing their families of developments.
Earlier, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced its intention to deport the activists on board the ship, which was en route to the Gaza Strip as part of a solidarity mission.
The ministry said in a statement posted on the X platform that the ship's passengers were transported to Ben Gurion Airport in preparation for their departure from Israel, and that they are expected to be deported within the next few hours. It noted that consuls from the activists' countries met them at the airport.
The Freedom Flotilla coalition's ship, the Madeleine, set sail from the Italian island of Sicily in early June, carrying 12 activists, including a Turkish citizen, in an attempt to break the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.
Early Monday morning, Israeli occupation forces stormed the ship while it was sailing in international waters. The raid was preceded by a live broadcast from activists on board, which showed Israeli gunboats surrounding the vessel while soldiers demanded that those on board raise their hands.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and displacement, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
The genocide left more than 181,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, and famine claimed the lives of many, including children, as well as widespread destruction.
