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Türkiye condemned Israel's interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters as "a piracy act carried out by the genocidal Netanyahu government," according to a statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.
The statement said the intervention against the Freedom Flotilla "has seriously violated international law." The attack targeted civil activists, including Turkish citizens and lawmakers, according to the statement.
"Israel, by violently targeting all efforts that defend humanitarian values and use peaceful methods, is escalating tensions in the region and harming efforts for lasting peace," the statement said.
The Israeli Navy attacked nine ships of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition early Wednesday in international waters, roughly 120 nautical miles from Gaza, according to the coalition.
The vessels and activists were transferred to an Israeli port, Israel's Foreign Ministry said on X, adding that they "are expected to be deported promptly."
Türkiye has initiated all necessary steps for the immediate release and return of detained Turkish citizens, according to the statement.
The situation of other activists is being followed in coordination with relevant countries, the statement said.
"Türkiye will continue to support the Palestinian cause and fight to end the genocide in Gaza," the statement said.
A press release by the Thousand Madleens to Gaza campaign said all nine boats were attacked by the Israeli army in international waters within one hour: Abd Elkarim Eid, Alaa Al-Najar, Anas Al-Sharif, Gaza Sunbird, Leila Khaled, Milad, Soul of My Soul, Um Saad and Conscience.
"We confirm that three vessels—Gaza Sunbird, Alaa Al-Najjar, and Anas Al Sharif—have been attacked and illegally intercepted by the Israeli military at 04:34 a.m., 220 kilometers (136.7 miles) off the coast of Gaza," the coalition said earlier.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, established in 2010, has launched dozens of missions aimed at delivering aid and drawing global attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Israel-besieged Gaza Strip.
The latest convoy set sail after Israeli naval forces attacked and seized more than 40 boats last week, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which were on the way to Gaza to challenge the Israeli blockade.
More than 450 activists on board were detained, and most of them have been deported.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza, home to nearly 2.4 million people, for nearly 18 years, and further tightened the siege in March when it closed border crossings and blocked food and medicine deliveries, pushing the enclave into famine.
Since October 2023, Israeli bombardments have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children, and rendered it uninhabitable.
Negotiations to end the war, according to a 20-point plan unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump, are underway in Egypt.
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