Turkish activist planes land in Istanbul

Turkey's deputy prime minister says the first of three Turkish planes carrying hundreds of activists from a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza earlier this week have landed in Istanbul.

The activists returned to a hero's welcome early Thursday with Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc saying they faced "barbarism and oppression" but returned with "pride." Hundreds of relatives and supporters burst into applause outside the airport, chanting "God is Great!"

Three air ambulance planes, carrying several wounded activists, have landed in Ankara earlier.

Israel has come under harsh international condemnation after its commandos stormed a six-ship aid flotilla Monday in international waters, setting off clashes that killed nine activists and wounded dozens.