The Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli naval forces in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea on Monday while attempting to reach Gaza, according to organisers.
The operation drew condemnation from the coalition and criticism from several countries over Israel’s actions against the Gaza-bound civilian convoy.
According to organisers, Israeli warships surrounded a number of vessels approximately 250 nautical miles from the Gaza coast in what the coalition described as a “violent and illegal” interception operation.
The flotilla said the convoy, made up of around 50 civilian vessels carrying humanitarian aid and activists from dozens of countries, had departed from Marmaris in southern Türkiye four days earlier with the stated objective of opening a humanitarian corridor to Gaza.
Organisers alleged that Israeli naval forces disabled vessel engines, disrupted navigation and communication systems, and boarded several lead ships.
In a statement released following the interception, the flotilla accused Israel of breaching international maritime law and unlawfully detaining peaceful civilians in international waters. The coalition demanded the immediate release of those detained and called for safe passage for the remaining vessels.
“We are outraged by the normalization of these violations of international maritime law and the kidnapping of peaceful civilians in international waters,” the flotilla said in the statement.
The organisers also appealed to the international community and the countries under whose flags the vessels are registered to intervene and ensure the protection of civilian ships operating in international waters.
The flotilla said the latest incident reflected what it described as a continuing pattern of Israeli naval actions against Gaza-bound civilian missions. Organisers referred to a recent earlier interception in which they alleged Israeli forces boarded multiple vessels, detained activists, and used violence against participants involved in a similar mission.
Organisers further said more than 20 small boats carrying non-violent, unarmed civilians from the Global Sumud Flotilla continued advancing through Israeli naval warships toward Gaza despite the interception of several vessels, in an effort to break the siege on the enclave and expose what they described as Israel’s crimes against humanity.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations and accused flotilla organisers of staging a political provocation aimed at supporting Hamas rather than delivering meaningful humanitarian assistance. Israeli officials said the convoy did not contain significant aid supplies and accused organisers of attempting to destabilise the region.
Also Read: Brazil, Spain, Türkiye Among 10 Nations Condemning Israeli Interception of Gaza Aid Flotilla
