A group of activists who participated in the “Sumud” flotilla — an international convoy that attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza — have begun giving testimony before prosecutors in Istanbul (Constantinople), following their return from Israel on Saturday afternoon (October 4, 2025).
The participants, including 36 Turkish citizens and 101 nationals from third countries, were repatriated on a special Turkish Airlines flight from Ramon Airport in Eilat to Istanbul. They were welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd at the airport, where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s daughter, Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, was also present to greet them.
According to Turkish media, their testimonies will be used to substantiate criminal charges against Israel, both in Turkish and international courts. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has reportedly appointed 11 prosecutors to handle the investigation, which focuses on potential violations such as unlawful deprivation of liberty, kidnapping or hijacking of transport means, aggravated theft, property damage, and torture.
Before giving statements, all returnees underwent medical examinations by forensic authorities to document their health conditions after alleged mistreatment.
This legal move comes amid growing tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv over Israel’s continued blockade of Gaza and its recent military operations. Turkish officials have repeatedly accused Israel of violating international law, while expressing solidarity with pro-Palestinian activists.
Earlier reports confirmed that 27 Greek nationals involved in the flotilla were being deported from Israel, with 11 staging a hunger strike in protest of their detention conditions.
The “Sumud” mission — named after the Arabic word for “steadfastness” — aimed to draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by challenging the naval blockade. However, the convoy was intercepted by Israeli forces before reaching its destination.
The Turkish prosecutor’s investigation could escalate diplomatic friction and test the limits of Ankara’s legal activism in the international arena. Observers note that similar cases following the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident led to years of strained relations before a cautious rapprochement.
As testimonies continue, it remains unclear whether Turkey will pursue formal indictments, but the case marks another flashpoint in the fraught Israel-Turkey relationship, set against the backdrop of renewed global scrutiny of Gaza’s humanitarian situation.
