Germany, Italy and Spain were among countries that condemned Israel’s seizure of an international flotilla carrying aid for the Gaza Strip in international waters off the coast of Greece and the detention of dozens of humanitarian activists.
The governments in Rome and Berlin on Thursday called on Israel to fully respect international law and “for restraint from irresponsible actions.” Germany and Italy were following “with great concern developments” regarding the flotilla, they said.
At the same time, Berlin and Rome defended the international community’s efforts to “provide humanitarian aid to Gaza in accordance with international law and standards.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also demanded the “immediate” release of all Italians “unlawfully detained.” Both Italian and German citizens are on board.
In a separate joint statement, 11 countries including Spain and Turkey said “the unlawful detention of humanitarian activists in international waters constitute flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law.”
The 11 countries called on the Israeli authorities “to take the necessary measures” to ensure the immediate release of the detained activists, condemning “in the strongest terms the Israeli assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla.”
The Turkish Foreign Ministry earlier had called the attack on the flotilla an “act of piracy” in violation of humanitarian values and international law.
Israel has said its navy has intercepted more than 20 vessels from the flotilla west of Crete, roughly 1,000 kilometres from Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said around 175 activists were being transported to Israel “peacefully.”
The ministry said that Israel acted after the flotilla “actively attempted to block an Israeli merchant vessel,” according to the Times of Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the detained activists would be brought ashore in Greece in coordination with the government in Athens, which the minister said agreed to it. All activists were taken off the vessels “unharmed,” Sa’ar added.
Greece later said it had “urged Israel to withdraw its vessels from the area and offered its diplomatic assistance by agreeing to host the passengers on its territory and ensure their safe return to their home countries.”
“The Greek Authorities are in consultation with the Israeli Authorities regarding safe disembarkation in Greece,” the Foreign Ministry in Athens said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the aid group described the operation in a post on X as “a violent raid in international waters.”
Activists said Israeli speedboats approached the flotilla at night, with soldiers allegedly pointing lasers and semi-automatic weapons at the vessels. People onboard were reportedly ordered to assemble at the bow and kneel.
The group alleged that naval forces boarded multiple boats, “smashing engines” and “intentionally leaving hundreds of civilians stranded on powerless, broken vessels” as a storm approached. Communications were also reportedly disrupted.
More ships heading toward the Gaza Strip
Dozens of vessels carrying activists from multiple countries set sail from Sicily on Sunday toward the Gaza Strip in what organizers described as the largest flotilla yet attempting to reach the embattled Palestinian territory.
The activists aim to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007 and supported by Egypt, and to deliver humanitarian supplies to the territory.
They also say they are seeking to push for the establishment of a permanent humanitarian corridor.
Some of the flotilla’s ships are continuing their journey following the incident on Wednesday night. Several boats were moving along the coast of Crete within Greek territorial waters late on Thursday, as shown by data from the online tracker of the flotilla’s organizers and the Marine Traffic vessel tracking system.
The aid flotilla initially made no statements regarding its future plans. The organizers continue to accuse Israel of using violent force. Israel insists that the action against the flotilla is in accordance with international law.
Israel accused the organizers of the latest flotilla of collaborating with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which still controls around half of the coastal strip.