ISTANBUL - Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists seized by Israeli commandos in a bloody raid on their flotilla returned home to a hero's welcome on Thursday, with Turkish crowds cheering their attempt to break Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

A funeral was to be held in Istanbul later Thursday for the nine activists killed during the Israeli raid on six aid ships - eight Turks and an American of Turkish origin.

Thousands packed Istanbul's main Taksim Square in the early morning hours before moving to Istanbul airport to welcome home the activists expelled from Israel. They waved Turkish, Palestinian and Hezbollah flags while chanting "God is great!"