Four arrested in Bilbao airport clashes linked to Gaza aid flotilla return

• Spanish police arrested four people following scuffles at Bilbao Airport as supporters welcomed activists returning after being detained by 'Israeli' forces during a Gaza-bound aid mission.

Spanish police arrested four people at Bilbao Airport in northern Spain on Saturday following clashes during the return of activists from an aid flotilla that had been headed to Gaza, authorities said.

The incident occurred when a crowd of supporters gathered in the airport’s arrivals hall to welcome six activists returning on a flight from Turkey after being detained by 'Israeli' forces.

According to Spain’s public broadcaster TVE, tensions erupted after a relative of one of the activists attempted to approach the group and was forcibly stopped by a police officer, triggering a scuffle.

Footage aired by the broadcaster showed police officers striking people with batons and pinning others to the ground as bystanders shouted in protest.

In a statement, Basque regional police said four people were arrested on charges including serious disobedience, resisting arrest, and assaulting law enforcement officers.

The statement added that the police internal affairs department had opened an investigation to determine whether the officers’ conduct complied with established procedures.

'Israeli' forces detained hundreds of activists from several countries after intercepting vessels involved in the latest attempt to break Israel’s blockade on the Palestinian enclave.

Among those detained were 44 Spanish nationals, according to Spain’s Foreign Ministry.

Around 20 additional activists arrived at Barcelona Airport on Saturday, where they were welcomed by supporters, including Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun.