The Israeli attack on international aid flotilla drew worldwide condemnation, Spain calls it violation of international law
GAZA — Israeli naval forces attacked an international aid flotilla bound for besieged Gaza and detained at least 317 activists on board, organisers said.
According to the official flotilla tracker, 21 vessels were attacked by Israeli naval forces, 19 others are believed to have been attacked, and four are still en route to Gaza.
At least 317 activists from 21 vessels were detained by the Israeli forces, according to the tracker.
The activists aboard the ships attacked by Israel were of various nationalities, including Spaniards, Italians, Brazilians, Turks, Greeks, Americans, Germans, Swedes, British, and French citizens, and many others.
Violation of international law: Spain
The Spanish prime minister described Israel’s attacks on the Gaza-bound Sumud Flotilla as “a violation of international law,” reiterating that the humanitarian aid flotilla “does not represent any danger” to Tel Aviv.
Speaking at the European Political Community meeting in Denmark, Pedro Sanchez said he and his government had been awake throughout the night following the developments around the flotilla, maintaining constant contact with participants.
“As Foreign Minister (Jose Manuel) Albares has said, we have also conveyed to the Israeli government that it is necessary they protect not only the rights of our compatriots but of all members of the flotilla,” he stressed.
Arab protesters decry Israeli attack
Hundreds demonstrated in some Arab countries to denounce an Israeli attack on an international aid flotilla sailing to blockaded Gaza.
In Tripoli, scores of Libyans gathered in Algeria Square in the capital to condemn the Israeli attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, including the Libyan ship Omar Al-Mukhtar, according to an Anadolu correspondent.
In Mauritania, hundreds of protesters demonstrated outside the US Embassy in Nouakchott to condemn the Israeli attack on the convoy.
Kuwait said that it is closely monitoring the situation of detained nationals aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla that was attacked by Israeli forces while sailing toward Gaza.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya told the state news agency KUNA that his ministry “is exerting all possible efforts to ensure the safety of the citizens and is working for their immediate release.”
South Africa calls for ‘immediate release’ of Gaza flotilla activists
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called on Israel to “immediately release” pro-Palestinian activists, including Nelson Mandela’s grandson, intercepted on an aid flotilla headed towards Gaza.
“I call on Israel to immediately release the South Africans abducted in international waters, and to release other nationals who have tried to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
“The interception of the flotilla in international waters is contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla,” he said.
Turkey president condemns Israel’s attack on Gaza Sumud Flotilla
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday condemned Israel’s “act of piracy” against the global Sumud humanitarian flotilla en route to Gaza to deliver aid to “oppressed Palestinians.”
Israel’s attack on civilians in international waters proves that “the genocide apparatus is in a state of frenzy to conceal its crimes in Gaza,” Erdogan said during his address at the Justice and Development (AK) Party provincial heads meeting.
“The genocidal Netanyahu government cannot tolerate even the slightest chance for peace to take hold,” Erdogan further said.
“Global Sumud Flotilla has once again shown the world the brutality in Gaza and Israel’s murderous face,” he added.
“We will not abandon our Palestinian brothers and sisters and will work with all our might to secure a ceasefire and restore peace,” he vowed.
Turkish authorities are monitoring the developments and taking measures to ensure that citizens aboard the flotilla are not harmed, Erdogan stressed.
Palestine condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza Sumud Flotilla
Palestine denounced on Thursday the Israeli attacks that targeted a global Gaza-bound aid convoy in international waters.
“The State of Palestine condemns Israel’s attack and aggression against the Global Sumud Flotilla, in violation of international law and norms, including the Convention on the Law of the Sea, other humanitarian principles, and the human rights of the participants on board,” according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
The ministry expressed Palestine’s grave concern about the safety of the over 470 participants, holding Israel “responsible for their security and well-being as they deliver humanitarian aid to a besieged, starved, and bombed population under genocide.
The statement reiterated that the global humanitarian mission is a peaceful and civilian-led initiative and has the right of free passage in international waters.
Israel “has no authority nor sovereignty over Palestine’s territorial waters, as it extends from the Gaza Strip, and over international waters,” the ministry said, underlining the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) declaration of Israeli occupation as illegal.
Palestine called on the international community to provide protection for “the courageous participants” of the Global Sumud Flotilla. — Agencies
