Pakistan and nine other countries on Tuesday released a joint statement condemning Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission headed toward Gaza.
The statement, issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives and Spain, was shared by Pakistan’s Foreign Office on X.
It stated that the ministers “condemn in the strongest terms the renewed Israeli assaults against the Global Sumud Flotilla, a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative aimed at drawing international attention to the catastrophic humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people”.
The statement also referred to earlier flotilla incidents in international waters, saying the ministers were deeply concerned by repeated Israeli interventions and condemned attacks targeting civilian ships and humanitarian activists.
“Such assaults, including attacks against the vessels and the arbitrary detention of activists, constitute blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law,” it added.
The ministers further voiced concern over the safety of those onboard and demanded the immediate release of all detained activists while urging authorities to respect their rights and dignity.
According to the statement, repeated actions against humanitarian missions demonstrate a “continued disregard for international law and freedom of navigation”.
The joint declaration also urged the international community to fulfil its “legal and moral responsibilities”, protect civilians and humanitarian operations, and take meaningful action to ensure accountability.
Among those detained by Israeli forces on Monday was Saad Edhi, son of noted social worker Faisal Edhi and grandson of renowned philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi. He was aboard the flotilla when Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in the eastern Mediterranean.
Indonesian outlet Republika reported that nine Indonesians, including two journalists, were also detained. Organisers additionally confirmed that 15 Irish nationals were part of the flotilla, including Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.
Earlier, Israel’s foreign ministry stated on X that it “will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza”.
The flotilla had departed from southern Turkiye on Thursday in its third attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza after previous missions were stopped by Israeli forces in international waters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticised the latest effort to send aid by sea. Addressing the commander overseeing the interception, he said, “I believe you are doing an extraordinary job … thwarting a malicious scheme designed to break the blockade we have imposed on Hamas terrorists in Gaza.”
“You are carrying this out with outstanding success … and certainly with far less fanfare than our enemies had anticipated,” Netanyahu added.
Israel has maintained control over Gaza’s entry points since imposing a blockade in 2007. Since the conflict intensified, Gaza has faced severe shortages of food, medicine and essential supplies, with aid deliveries at times being completely suspended.
Last month, another flotilla carrying activists and aid was intercepted in international waters near Greece, with most participants later deported to Europe. Former senator Mushtaq Ahmed was also among those detained in that incident.
