Israeli occupation forces have intercepted and seized the Global Sumud Flotilla, a peaceful convoy of more than 40 civilian vessels carrying nearly 500 international volunteers and urgently needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.

According to flotilla organizers, 443 activists from 47 countries have been abducted and are being illegally detained by Israeli authorities following the raid. The flotilla called for immediate international intervention to secure the safety and release of the detained volunteers and to guarantee the delivery of humanitarian relief to Gaza’s besieged population.

The Israeli occupation’s Foreign Ministry admitted to intercepting the flotilla, boasting that “none of the ships succeeded in reaching Gaza” and confirming that the detained activists were being taken to Israeli ports for deportation.

Erdogan: Flotilla Seizure Shows ‘Genocidal Face’ of Netanyahu Regime

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the attack as “an act of piracy” and said it revealed once more the genocidal nature of Netanyahu’s government.

“Israel’s assault on civilians in international waters proves that the genocide apparatus is in a state of frenzy to conceal its crimes in Gaza,” Erdoğan declared during a party meeting. He vowed that Türkiye would continue to stand firmly with the Palestinian people and work tirelessly to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also confirmed it was closely monitoring the safety of its nationals aboard the flotilla.

Arab and Muslim World Demand Release of Detainees

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah al-Yahya pledged all possible efforts to secure the release of Kuwaiti citizens on board, while Oman’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmad al-Khalili described the attack as a “violation of service to humanity” and said the burden now falls heavily on the Arab and Islamic world to respond.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry stressed the immediate release of all detained participants, while Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim strongly condemned “Israel’s aggression against unarmed civilians carrying life-saving aid.” He vowed to hold the occupation accountable for the detention of Malaysian nationals.

Global Outcry Spreads to Europe, Latin America, and Africa

Across Europe, governments expressed alarm. The UK Foreign Office demanded a safe resolution and emphasized the need for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that 22 Italian citizens had been detained and would soon be deported. Germany and France called for humane treatment of detainees and respect for international law.

Latin American countries also joined the condemnation. Mexico and Brazil urged Israel to immediately allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, with Brazil specifically demanding the unconditional lifting of all restrictions.

In Africa, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described the raid as a “crime against international solidarity,” demanding the release of South African citizens on board — including Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela.

Flotilla Seizure Deepens Israel’s Isolation

The Global Sumud Flotilla had set out to deliver medical supplies and food to Gaza, where more than seven months of genocidal Israeli bombardment and blockade have engineered famine-like conditions for over 2.3 million Palestinians. Its seizure has once again placed Israel under fire for targeting humanitarian missions, much like the 2010 Mavi Marmara massacre that drew worldwide outrage.

Observers say the incident further isolates the Israeli regime on the international stage, exposing its fear of solidarity movements and its determination to strangle Gaza into submission by starving its people and silencing global witnesses.

As protests erupt in dozens of cities around the world, civil society groups insist that the fate of the detained activists is a test of the international community’s will to uphold human rights against Israeli impunity. (ILKHA)