Pakistan and ten other nations have strongly condemned Israel's seizure of Gaza-bound aid vessels in international waters, demanding the immediate release of detained activists and describing the operation as a breach of international law.
Joint Statement of Condemnation
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Brazil, Jordan, Spain, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Maldives, South Africa, and Libya denounced the assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian initiative aimed at highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The statement comes after Israeli forces intercepted the vessels near Greece, citing enforcement of a "lawful naval blockade" of the Palestinian enclave.
"The Israeli attacks against the vessels and the unlawful detention of humanitarian activists in international waters constitute flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law," the ministers said in the statement. "The Ministers are deeply concerned about the safety of the civilian activists and urge the Israeli authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure their immediate release."
Details of the Incident
The flotilla sailed from Barcelona on April 12, carrying humanitarian aid, and was intercepted late on Wednesday off Greece's Peloponnese peninsula, hundreds of miles from Gaza. Footage released by the group showed Israeli soldiers boarding vessels and detaining crew members. Flotilla organizers condemned the interception as "piracy" and an unlawful assertion of control in international waters.
Some Western governments, including Germany and Italy, expressed concern and said they were monitoring the situation. The United States, however, backed Israel's actions and warned of possible consequences for those supporting the flotilla, which it characterized as linked to pro-Hamas activity.
International Call for Accountability
The joint statement by Pakistan and the other countries also called on the international community to uphold international law, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for the incident. The signatories emphasized that the seizure and detention of humanitarian activists in international waters cannot be tolerated and urged all nations to stand against such violations.
This incident has further inflamed tensions in the region, with many countries calling for an independent investigation into the raid and the immediate release of all detained individuals.
