Ten nations condemn Israel’s interception of Gaza aid flotilla as breach of international law
Foreign ministers from Turkiye, Spain, Jordan, and others label the naval operation a violation of humanitarian law, while Irish President Catherine Connolly expresses concern for her detained sister.
Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla have reported that Israeli forces intercepted 41 vessels in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, halting a convoy aimed at challenging Israel’s blockade of Gaza. While the majority of the fleet was stopped, 10 boats remain underway, positioned approximately 121 nautical miles from the Palestinian enclave as of Tuesday morning. The operation marks the culmination of a journey that began last week when more than 50 vessels departed from the Turkish port city of Marmaris.
The diplomatic response to the interception was swift and unified. Foreign ministers from Turkiye, Spain, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, Libya, and the Maldives issued a joint statement condemning the actions as blatant violations of international and humanitarian law. The ministers expressed serious concern for the safety of civilian participants and demanded the immediate release of all detained activists, insisting on full respect for their rights and dignity.
Israeli forces commenced the boarding operations in international waters off the coast of Cyprus on Monday, resulting in the detention of numerous activists. Prior to the commencement of the raids, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a directive ordering the flotilla to abandon its mission and turn back immediately. Israeli media has characterised the event as one of the largest naval interception campaigns targeting a Gaza-bound flotilla in recent years.
Among those detained is Irish doctor Margaret Connolly, who organisers described as having been illegally kidnapped. Her sister, Irish President Catherine Connolly, confirmed the news following talks in London with King Charles III. President Connolly stated she was deeply worried for her sister and her colleagues but admitted she had no specific details regarding their current status or location.
The flotilla’s mission occurs against the backdrop of Israel’s blockade on Gaza, which has been in place since 2007. Israel maintains the blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. However, rights groups and humanitarian organisations have repeatedly criticised the policy, describing it as collective punishment imposed on Gaza’s population. The exact number of detained activists and the final status of the remaining 10 vessels remain unclear as the situation continues to evolve.
