The group behind a convoy to Gaza that ended when Israeli forces stormed the ships and killed nine activists said on Saturday it may use the vessels for another run on the blockade.
Israel released the three ships this week after sending the Turkish Foreign Ministry a message that said it expected Turkey to prevent the vessels, which arrived in the east Mediterranean port of Iskenderun earlier on Saturday, from attempting to reach Hamas-run Gaza again.
Huseyin Oruc, a board member at the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Aid (IHH), which owns the ships, told Reuters TV that if the blockade on Gaza continued, the boats may take part in another mission.
"If the problem is not solved, many flotillas will sail to Gaza. If necessary, these boats can also be used for this," Oruc said. "We have purchased these three boats for Palestinian needs. If it is necessary, we can use easily use them. These boats are humanitarian boats." Before releasing the ships, Israel, which had impounded the vessels after the May 31 raid, had unsuccessfully sought a promise that they would not be sent to Gaza again. Local officials told reporters prosecutors would board the ships on Monday to investigate for evidence of what happened during the raid.