Spain repatriates 21 nationals detained on Gaza aid flotilla

• Spain announced the repatriation of 21 citizens detained aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.
• The agreement for their release was reached with 'Israeli' authorities.
• Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed the first group would depart Tel Aviv for Spain on Sunday.

Spain announced Sunday that 21 of its nationals detained aboard the Gaza-bound aid flotilla will be repatriated, following an agreement reached with 'Israeli' authorities.

Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed the development on Spain’s public broadcaster, saying, "We have reached an agreement with Israel that ... a first group of 21 Spanish citizens will leave Tel Aviv today and arrive in Spain."

He added, "We have the agreement of the authorities of Israel. Let’s hope nothing goes wrong at the last moment."

The detainees were among 49 Spanish nationals aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy carrying hundreds of activists and political figures, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The mission set sail last month as famine looms over the besieged territory, according to the United Nations.

The 'Israeli' navy intercepted the flotilla on Wednesday, halting vessels carrying more than 400 passengers before they could reach Gaza’s shores, an 'Israeli' official said.

Negotiations are ongoing for the release of the remaining passengers.