ISTANBUL

Turkish citizens and their family members who were evacuated from the Gaza Strip due to Israel’s ongoing attacks arrived in Istanbul via Egypt early Monday.

A Turkish Airlines plane carrying 142 Turkish citizens who had crossed into Egypt from the Rafah border crossing landed at Istanbul Airport after taking off from Cairo International Airport.

Representatives from the Turkish Foreign Ministry and officials from the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) welcomed them at the airport.

Some family members who received the evacuees in Istanbul could not hold back their tears.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz