Istanbul, May 19 (SANA) Ten countries, including Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Spain, Colombia, Libya, the Maldives, Pakistan and Jordan, condemned Israel’s interception of the “Global Sumud Flotilla” bound for the Gaza Strip, calling the operation a violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
According to Anadolu Agency, the foreign ministers of the participating countries said in a joint statement issued Monday that they were deeply concerned over the repeated Israeli actions targeting humanitarian flotillas in international waters.
The statement condemned attacks on civilian vessels as well as the arbitrary detention and mistreatment of humanitarian activists, saying such actions constituted a clear breach of international legal obligations.
The ministers expressed serious concern for the safety of civilians participating in the flotilla and called for the immediate release of all detained activists, stressing the need to fully respect their rights and dignity.
The statement added that repeated attacks on peaceful humanitarian initiatives reflected continued disregard for international law and freedom of navigation. It urged the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities by protecting civilians and humanitarian missions and taking concrete measures to ensure accountability and end impunity.
Israeli forces seized vessels belonging to the “Global Sumud Flotilla” on Monday while they were sailing from Turkey toward the Gaza Strip in international waters off the coast of Cyprus. Dozens of participants were detained despite organizers describing the mission as peaceful and humanitarian, aimed at delivering aid to Gaza.
R.D/R.K
