Solar Ship Rescue Services Director General Murat Dalyan said on Friday that three Turkish ships, seized by Israel during a raid on May 31, are expected to arrive at Iskenderun Port on Saturday.

Speaking to A.A. correspondent, Dalyan said ships Mavi Marmara and Defne-Y left from Haifa Port at 5.30 p.m. and ship Gazze from Ashdod Port at 8.00 p.m. on Thursday. He said Mavi Marmara and Defne-Y would be at the port on Saturday morning, and Gazze in the evening.

Israel decided on July 23 to give back the three aid ships "based on a joint decision of all political authorities."

Nine people, including eight Turkish activists and a 19-year-old U.S. citizen of Turkish descent, were killed when Israeli forces raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31. Around 30 people were wounded in the attack.

The relief materials in the ships were sent to border crossings and distributed in Gaza.


AA