New York, May 19 (SANA) The United Nations called Tuesday for guaranteeing the safety of all activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla after Israeli naval forces intercepted the fleet’s vessels and arrested a number of activists in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea.
UN Secretary-General spokesman Farhan Haq told a press conference, as quoted by Palestinian media, that the United Nations wants to ensure that all persons aboard the flotilla have not been harmed, stressing that the matter must be handled peacefully.
Israeli naval forces began seizing the Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessels on Monday and arresting activists who were on board while the fleet was en route to the Gaza Strip in an attempt to break the blockade imposed on it since 2007.
The flotilla set sail last Thursday from the Turkish city of Marmaris, with 54 vessels participating in an international effort to deliver humanitarian aid and express solidarity with the people of Gaza.
Türkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Spain, Colombia, Libya, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Jordan all condemned in the strongest terms earlier Tuesday the repeated Israeli attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Gaza continues to endure a severe humanitarian crisis as a result of the ongoing Israeli blockade and attacks, amid acute shortages of basic goods and essential services.
KhA
