Expelled from Israel after the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla off Gaza, 137 activists of 13 nationalities, including 36 Turks, arrived in Istanbul on Saturday. They denounce violence during their arrest by Israeli forces. Four French elected officials remain detained, while Turkey has opened an investigation and qualified the Israeli operation “as a act of terrorism”.
What to Remember:
Expelled from Israel after the interception of their flotilla on Wednesday, 137 activists from 13 countries arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, denouncing violence and inhuman treatment from Israeli forces.
Four French deputies, including François Piquemal and Rima Hassan, are still detained. They started a hunger strike to protest their arrest.
Turkey has opened an investigation and qualified the Israeli operation as a ” act of terrorism “. Activists like Libyan Malik have voiced their commitment to try reaching Gaza again.
The pro-Palestinian activists arrived in Istanbul after being expelled from Israel following the interception of the flotilla to Gaza. They have stated they were victims of violence and described their treatment in harsh terms, noting that they were “treated like animals.”
The Global Sumud flotilla was intercepted as it approached the Gaza Strip, where Israel has launched a devastating offensive in retaliation for a shocking attack by the Palestinian Hamas movement on October 7, 2023. Hundreds of activists on these boats were arrested as Israeli forces awaited their expulsion . Of those detained, 137 activists from 13 countries flew to Istanbul, including 36 nationals from Turkey.
French Deputies Still Imprisoned
Among those intercepted were four French deputies: François Piquemal , representing Haute-Garonne, Marie Mesmeur from Ille-et-Vilaine, and MEPs Rima Hassan and Emma Fourreau , who had previously participated in similar flotillas a few months prior. The four French parliamentarians have initiated a hunger strike in protest against their imprisonment.
Release the crew from the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Our parliamentarians are held in Netanyahu’s prison with the flotilla and started a hunger strike in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
More than ever, we must support them by calling on Emmanuel Macron… pic.twitter.com/dpxxqcggg
– Insoumise France (@Franceinsoumise) October 4, 2025
In a press release on social media platform X, Jean-Noël Barrot stated that France encourages participation in flotillas aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to organizations in Gaza, ensuring safe transport of these supplies.
“If We Bugged, They Struck Us”
“We were intercepted by a large number of military ships ,” said Paolo Romano , a regional councilor from Lombardy, Italy, speaking to AFP at Istanbul airport. “All the boats were taken by storm by heavily armed personnel,” he recounted.
Romano continued, saying, “They put us on our knees, face down. And if we showed any signs of resistance, they struck us. They made fun of us, insulted us, and subjected us to psychological and physical violence .” Upon arrival in Israel, he described their treatment as degrading and inhumane , recalling that the detainees were denied basic necessities such as bottled water.
“The Worst Experience”
“They opened the doors at night and yelled at us wielding weapons to intimidate us,” he added. An Italian journalist, Lorenzo d’Agostino , who was on the flotilla, described their capture as “kidnapping in international waters,” noting they were over 100 km from Gaza.
Among the flotilla’s personnel were various politicians and activists, including notable figures such as Greta Thunberg . “We spent two hellish days in prison. We are now free thanks to the international public opinion’s pressure supporting Palestine,” he stated. Demonstrations in support of the Palestinians were also reported in major cities like Rome.
Iylia Balais , a 28-year-old Malaysian activist, expressed her sentiments about the incident, stating that the interception was “the worst experience” she had ever encountered. “We were handcuffed, some were made to lie on the ground, and we were denied water and medication,” she lamented.
“I’m Going to Try Again”
The activists were transported to Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines charter flight, where they were greeted by family members waving Turkish and Palestinian flags . Chuckling chants of, ” Israel Assassin! ” filled the air as they arrived. Upon landing, Turkish activists were required to undergo medical examinations and appear in court to provide testimonies, which their lawyers noted.
Turkey has denounced the interception as ” an act of terrorism ” and has initiated an investigation into the matter. In a message on social media, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan commended the activists as “courageous individuals who have given a voice to the conscience of humanity.” He assured that all Turkish nationals would be repatriated. Among the activists, Libyan Malik expressed his determination to attempt the journey to Gaza again, stating, “I will regroup my team, organize the supply of medicines and humanitarian aid, find a boat, and I will try again.”
While the incident has sparked international outrage and calls for solidarity, the activists emphasize the necessity of humanitarian efforts towards Gaza amidst escalating tensions in the region.