Mass rallies in Turkey in show support for Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
Today 16:53

Thousands gather in Istanbul and Elazig to back Gaza, as speakers highlight resistance and sacrifices amid ongoing Israeli aggression.

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Thousands demonstrate against the Israeli genocide in Gaza in Istanbul, on January 1, 2024 (AP)

Istanbul witnessed one of the largest pro-Gaza demonstrations on Sunday since the beginning of the Israeli genocide on the enclave, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported.

Thousands gathered in the historic Sultanahmet district, waving Palestinian flags in a powerful show of solidarity with the people of Gaza. A separate rally took place in the eastern Turkish city of Elazig, where Palestinian affairs expert Hani al-Dali delivered a speech on behalf of the Palestinian Resistance factions.

Al-Dali affirmed that the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, “will never surrender, it is either victory or martyrdom,” emphasizing that the steadfast resistance in Gaza has shattered "Israel’s" deterrence narrative and undermined the authority of both the Israeli entity and the United States.

He added that “Gaza has given everything precious and has sacrificed its finest youth and scholars.”

137 activists arrive in Turkey after 'Israel' hijacked Sumud Flotilla

A group of 137 international activists, including 36 Turkish citizens and participants from 12 other countries, arrived in Istanbul on Saturday following their detention by Israeli forces. The activists were aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, which was hijacked by the Israeli navy over the past two days.

The flight, organized as a special repatriation operation, landed in Istanbul at 15:40 local time (12:40 GMT), according to Turkish diplomatic sources. "The plane carrying our citizens and third-country nationals has taken off for Istanbul," the source confirmed.

Turkish officials strongly condemned the hijacking of the flotilla. Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli earlier announced that the government had arranged a special charter flight to repatriate the detained activists. Ankara has described the hijacking as "an act of terrorism" and launched a formal investigation after Turkish nationals were detained by Israeli forces.

Similar flotilla missions attempting to reach Gaza were previously blocked by "Israel" in June and July.