422 Global Sumud Flotilla Activists Arrive in Turkey After Israeli Deportation; Accounts of Abuse Emerge

On Day 954 of the Gaza war (May 22, 2026), 422 Global Sumud Flotilla activists arrived in Turkey after Israel deported them in the wake of the May 21 mass deportation operation. Turkey chartered three planes and flew the activists — including 85 Turkish nationals — from southern Israel. Activists reported being subjected to rubber bullets, punching, handcuffing, kicking, and being transported in leg chains to Ben Gurion Airport. An Italian journalist confirmed being beaten. The arrivals prompted Turkey to recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv and triggered a wave of formal diplomatic protests: Italy demanded an EU-level discussion on sanctions against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir; Greece, Germany, France, Canada, Spain, the UK, and the Netherlands summoned Israeli ambassadors. The diplomatic fallout over Ben-Gvir's taunting video of bound and kneeling detainees continued to intensify. The 58-vessel Global Sumud Flotilla had departed from multiple European ports in April 2026 carrying humanitarian aid bound for Gaza, where a catastrophic aid shortfall persists — only ~110 trucks/day entering versus 600+ required.