The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has characterized the actions of Israeli forces against the vessels of the humanitarian fleet known as the "Global Sumud Flotilla – Second Mission," which was heading toward the Gaza Strip, as an act of piracy.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, this was stated in a diplomatic communiqué issued by the ministry.
"The attack by Israel on the Global Sumud Flotilla, established to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, in international waters is an act of piracy. By attacking the fleet attempting to draw attention to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Israel has violated humanitarian values and international law. This aggression also constitutes a violation of the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters," the statement emphasized.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to take a unified stance against Israel's actions. The ministry further noted that, in coordination with other countries, all necessary steps are being taken regarding the situation of Turkish citizens and other passengers aboard the fleet.
Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli stated that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a telephone conversation with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, to discuss the situation surrounding the flotilla. During the conversation, it was emphasized that the intervention by Israeli forces in the open sea near the coast of Crete endangered the lives of civilians from various countries and violated international law.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is part of a broader international effort by civil society organizations to challenge the maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip and provide essential supplies to the Palestinian population. Such missions often involve activists, journalists, and humanitarian workers from dozens of countries, aiming to highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. Turkey has historically been a vocal critic of the blockade, maintaining that such restrictions hinder the delivery of basic necessities and violate the collective rights of the civilian population in Gaza.
