Tunisia received on Sunday a group of its citizens who were passengers of the Global Sumud flotilla (GSF), released after being detained by Israel while attempting to break the blockade imposed on Gaza.
The Global Sumud flotilla departed from Barcelona, Spain, in early September with the aim of breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip and delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
However, it was intercepted last week by the Israeli navy.
Nine Tunisian members of the flotilla returned to Tunisia on Sunday after being released by Israeli authorities, according to local press.
The group landed at Tunis-Carthage International Airport from Turkiye after three days of detention in Israel.
They were greeted by hundreds of people, including family members, journalists, and civil society representatives, according to Tunisian media.
Among the participants were Aziz Meliani, Noureddine Slaouej, Abdallah Messaoudi, Housemeddine Remadi, Zied Jaballah, Hamza Bouzouida, Mohamed Mrad, Anis Abbassi, and Lotfi Hajji. Another Tunisian, Mohamed Ali Mohieddine, captain of the Amsterdam, had returned earlier the same day.
At least 15 boats from the Soumoud flotilla were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters.
The passengers of these boats were initially taken to Israeli ports, then detained before being deported to their countries of origin.
Some still remain in Israeli custody.
AK/ac/fss/as/APA