Tel Aviv: Trkiye is "closely" monitoring the situation of its citizens on board the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, which was subjected to an Israeli attack, diplomatic sources stated. The Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv has taken steps to ensure the swift release of its citizens once the ship reaches land, the sources indicated. Relatives of the Turkish citizens are being kept informed regularly.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli soldiers detained 12 individuals on the Madleen, including 11 activists and a journalist. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international NGO that organized the mission, reported the incident and noted that communication with the vessel has been lost.
The individuals on board include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, Yasemin Acar from Germany, and several other activists and journalists from France, Brazil, Trkiye, Spain, the Netherlands, and France. The journalist onboard, Omar Faiad, is with Al Jazeera Mubasher.