Türkiye condemns Israeli raid on Gaza aid flotilla
ANKARA
The Global Sumud Flotilla is preparing to set sail for Gaza as a number of boats are on their way from Spain to form an expanded unified fleet, in Syracuse, Italy, Thursday, April 23, 2026, (Sebastiano Diamante/LaPresse via AP)
Türkiye has condemned Israel’s intervention against the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, calling it an act of “piracy” and urging the international community to take a common stance against the move.
The Foreign Ministry said the flotilla had set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and draw attention to the humanitarian situation in the enclave.
“The attack carried out by Israeli forces in international waters against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was formed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, is an act of piracy,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Israel has targeted humanitarian values and international law by attacking the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sought to draw attention to the humanitarian catastrophe faced by the oppressed people in Gaza,” it added.
The ministry said the intervention also violated the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters, calling on the international community to adopt a joint position.
“All necessary initiatives are being carried out together with the relevant countries regarding the situation of our citizens and other passengers on board the flotilla,” it said.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Spanish counterpart, Jose Manuel Albares, also discussed the issue in a phone call early Thursday, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Öncü Keçeli said the two ministers stressed the need for a unified international response to what they described as an unlawful intervention against the flotilla.
Keçeli said the intervention endangered civilians of several nationalities and violated international law, adding that the flotilla was sailing in international waters off Crete.
The Israeli navy intercepted vessels from the flotilla late Wednesday as they were heading toward Gaza, according to reports and flotilla organizers.
The group said Israeli forces surrounded the convoy near the Greek island of Crete, jammed communications and seized several vessels. Israeli media also reported that naval forces had begun taking control of flotilla vessels bound for Gaza.
The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza, aims to challenge Israel’s blockade and open a humanitarian corridor by sea.
The convoy included around 100 boats carrying nearly 1,000 activists from several countries, according to Anadolu Agency.
The ministry said Ankara was following the situation of Turkish citizens and other passengers on board the flotilla.