Türkiye sharpened its condemnation on Monday after Israeli naval forces intercepted a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla in international waters, escalating tensions over maritime law, aid access, and the blockade of the enclave.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian convoy made up of dozens of vessels carrying aid and activists from around 40 countries, was aiming to challenge Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza that has been in place since 2007.
Organizers said the mission was peaceful and focused on delivering humanitarian supplies amid worsening conditions in the territory.
According to flotilla organizers, Israeli forces intercepted ships in the eastern Mediterranean, near waters off Crete, surrounding vessels, boarding multiple boats, disrupting communications, and disabling navigation systems.
Contact was reportedly lost with a significant portion of the convoy, with several boats seized and activists detained, including Turkish nationals.
