Türkiye's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned what it called a "terrorist act" by Israeli military against the Global Sumud Flotilla, accusing Israel of violating international law by intercepting humanitarian aid vessels bound for Gaza.
The flotilla, comprising activists from 44 countries carrying medical supplies and other humanitarian aid, was stopped by Israeli military in international waters around 8:30 p.m. Gaza time on Tuesday, according to organizers and Turkish officials.
Multiple vessels including the Alma, Sirius and Adara were "illegally boarded" by Israeli military after warships deliberately jammed ship communications to prevent distress calls and halt live broadcasts of the operation, the flotilla announced.
Communications were lost with numerous other boats as Israeli military surrounded the convoy approximately 60 nautical miles from Gaza's coast, organizers said. The crew of the Alma vessel was detained by Israeli military, according to flotilla statements.
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry issued a strongly-worded statement calling the intervention "an act of terror that violates international law in the most serious way and endangers the lives of innocent civilians." The ministry described it as proof that the "genocidal Netanyahu government's fascist and militarist policies are not limited to Palestinians."
"This attack targeting civilians who are acting peacefully without resorting to violence is proof that the fascist and militarist policies implemented by the genocidal Netanyahu government, which condemns Gaza to famine, are not limited to Palestinians," the ministry statement read.
Hours before the interception, Turkish activist Dilek Tekocak aboard the Sirius reported that approximately 12 Israeli vessels were approaching within 10 minutes of the flotilla. Crew members donned life vests and gathered on deck as the convoy entered what organizers called a "high-risk zone."
"We are a non-violent group carrying humanitarian aid. If there is any intervention, we will not resist, we will show passive resistance," Tekocak said before communications were cut.
Türkiye announced it was coordinating with other countries whose citizens were aboard the vessels and initiating efforts to secure the immediate release of detained passengers. The ministry said it would pursue legal action against those responsible for the attack.
Despite the interceptions, organizers said some vessels in the Global Sumud Flotilla continued toward Gaza, remaining 60 nautical miles from the coast. The flotilla represents the largest collective attempt to reach Gaza by sea to date, according to organizers.
The convoy's name "Sumud" means "steadfastness" in Arabic and has become a symbol of Palestinian resilience since the 1967 Six-Day War, representing non-violent civil disobedience against occupation.