The boats were carrying humanitarian aid, including food, baby formula and medicine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Palestinian Resistance movement, Hamas, has called the interception and arrests \u201cpiracy and terrorism,\u201d which \u201cconstitutes a treacherous assault and a crime of piracy and maritime terrorism against civilians,\u201d adding \u201cto the black record of the occupation\u2019s crimes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe salute the courage of the free activists and their insistence on breaking the siege on our people, and we call upon the free people of the world to organize popular events and protests condemning this crime,\u201d the movement said in a statement.<\/span><\/p>\n Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares\u00a0<\/span>announced<\/span><\/a>\u00a0on Thursday that Madrid summoned the Israeli charge d\u2019affaires following the attack on the flotilla.<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking on the Spanish broadcaster RTVE, Albares said that Israeli charge d\u2019affaires in Spain, Dana Erlich, has been summoned to convey the government\u2019s condemnation of what happened, the Anadolu news agency reported.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He noted that \u201cthe urgent matter\u201d is that \u201cthe physical integrity and rights\u201d of the Spanish citizens aboard the flotilla are \u201crespected,\u201d after they were \u201cdetained\u201d by Israel.<\/span><\/p>\n Albares also said that those aboard the flotilla \u201cdo not and did not represent any threat to Israel or anyone else,\u201d as their \u201csole objective was humanitarian,\u201d stressing that they should not be accused of \u201cabsolutely anything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Spanish prime minister, Pedro S\u00e1nchez,\u00a0<\/span>described<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Israel\u2019s attacks on the flotilla as \u201ca violation of international law,\u201d reiterating that the humanitarian aid flotilla \u201cdoes not represent any danger\u201d to Tel Aviv.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs Foreign Minister (Jose Manuel) Albares has said, we have also conveyed to the Israeli government that it is necessary they protect not only the rights of our compatriots but of all members of the flotilla,\u201d he stressed.<\/span><\/p>\n S\u00e1nchez said the flotilla seeks to fill a gap left by restrictions imposed on Gaza, where the UN and its agencies have long operated.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFor us now, the most important thing is the security of our compatriots and that they can return home soon,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd from there, we will obviously consider any type of action.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Colombian President Gustavo Petro took to social media to\u00a0<\/span>warn<\/span><\/a>\u00a0about the monitoring of the flotilla by what he termed \u201cIsraeli genocidal forces\u201d after the detention of two Colombian citizens on board the flotilla was known.<\/span><\/p>\n Petro ordered the expulsion of the entire Israeli diplomatic delegation from Colombia, warning that if the reports were true, it would constitute \u201ca new international crime by (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He also asserted that \u201cthe Free Trade Agreement with Israel is immediately denounced.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He indicated that the Foreign Ministry would file lawsuits, including in Israeli courts, and urged international lawyers to support the Colombian legal team.<\/span><\/p>\n South African President Cyril Ramaphosa\u00a0<\/span>said<\/span><\/a>\u00a0the interception in international waters off the coast of Gaza reinforces Israel\u2019s continued violation of international law and infliction of suffering, including starvation, on the Palestinian people.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is another grave offence by Israel of global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza and advancing peace in the region,\u201d Ramaphosa said in a statement.<\/span><\/p>\n He stressed that the interception of the flotilla in international waters \u201cis contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ramaphosa added, \u201cThis action also violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSouth Africa calls on Israel to ensure that the life-saving cargo transported by this flotilla reaches the people of Gaza, as the flotilla represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel,\u201d the president emphasized.<\/span><\/p>\n He said South Africa supports the call by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material through all means possible.<\/span><\/p>\n South Africans who were on board the flotilla include Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela who is the grandson of former SA president, Nelson Mandela.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe attack carried out by Israeli forces in international waters against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, constitutes an act of terrorism that gravely violates international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians,\u201d the Turkish Foreign Ministry\u00a0<\/span>said<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in a statement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Ministry said that the \u201cassault, targeting civilians who were acting peacefully without resorting to violence, demonstrates that the fascist and militarist policies pursued by the genocidal Netanyahu government\u2014which has condemned Gaza to famine\u2014are not limited to Palestinians, but extend to all those who resist Israel\u2019s oppression.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe hope that this attack will not undermine ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza,\u201d it stressed. The Ministry called upon the United Nations and all relevant international organizations to take immediate action to lift the unlawful blockade on Gaza, to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the region, and to guarantee the freedom of navigation.<\/span><\/p>\n Ireland\u2019s Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheal Martin\u00a0<\/span>denounced<\/span><\/a>\u00a0the attack as a \u201cbreach of international maritime law,\u201d speaking ahead of the European Political Community meeting in Copenhagen on Thursday.<\/span><\/p>\n Asked whether Israel\u2019s attack on the flotilla constitutes a \u201cbreach of international maritime law,\u201d Martin agreed, emphasizing: \u201cIf it happened in international waters, then yes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a humanitarian mission, no threat to anybody other than to highlight and also to bring humanitarian aid into the people of Gaza and it underlines the absolute imperative of getting humanitarian aid into Gaza as quickly as possible,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Martin also reaffirmed that consular assistance will be provided to those detained, emphasizing the \u201cimportance\u201d of them being treated \u201cproperly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The British Foreign Office reportedly called on Israel to ensure aid taken from the flotilla is safely delivered into Gaza.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe aid carried by the flotilla should be turned over to humanitarian organisations on the ground to be delivered safely into Gaza,\u201d a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement, according to the Anadolu news agency.<\/span><\/p>\n The office has been in contact with the Israeli authorities after the interception and abduction of the activists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The spokesperson said the UK expects the situation to be resolved safely, in line with international law and with due respect for the rights of all those on board.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt is the responsibility of the Israeli government to resolve the atrocious humanitarian crisis in Gaza,\u201d it added.<\/span><\/p>\n The spokesperson also highlighted the need for immediately and unconditionally lifting restrictions on aid so that the UN and NGOs can deliver food, medicine and other essentials to civilians in desperate need.<\/span><\/p>\n The government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the flotilla was intended to \u201chighlight the need for humanitarian aid to the Palestinians who are suffering and isolated in Gaza,\u201d adding that \u201cIsrael is responsible for the safety of the people on that flotilla.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The government of Venezuela described the interception as a \u201ccowardly act of piracy.\u201d In a press release, it condemned the \u201ccriminal nature of the Zionist regime\u201d and asserted that the Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid is a \u201cdeliberate tool of war\u201d intended to \u201cannihilate the population through starvation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Bolivian President Luis Arce said Bolivia \u201cstrongly condemns the brutal attack,\u201d which he called \u201can unacceptable act of violence\u201d and a \u201cflagrant violation of international law.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He added that the \u201cpolicy of state terrorism\u201d promoted by Netanyahu is \u201cno excuse\u201d for the attack against unarmed civilians.<\/span><\/p>\n The Maldives\u2019 President Mohamed Muizzu \u201cstrongly\u201d\u00a0<\/span>condemned<\/span><\/a>\u00a0the Israeli attack, saying that \u201csuch intimidation is unacceptable and must not be tolerated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTargeting a humanitarian convoy carrying relief to a population deprived of freedom and basic necessities is a grave affront to humanity and international law,\u201d Muizzu said on X.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe call on the international community to take decisive actions against Israel\u2019s gross and repeated violations of international law, which go far beyond the moral compass shared by humanity,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim\u00a0<\/span>condemned<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in the \u201cstrongest terms\u201d Israel\u2019s attack on the flotilla, warning that his country will take all legal measures to hold Tel Aviv accountable, especially when its citizens are involved.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBy blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world. The flotilla embodied solidarity, compassion and the hope of relief for those under blockade,\u201d he said on X.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs long as the Palestinian people are denied their fundamental rights and aspirations, Malaysia will stand unflinchingly with them. We will not relent in demanding an end to the injustice and dispossession that have plagued Palestine for generations,\u201d Anwar emphasized.<\/span><\/p>\n Pakistan\u2019s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u00a0<\/span>said<\/span><\/a>\u00a0his country \u201cstrongly\u201d condemns the attack and demands the immediate release of the illegally detained peace activists.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis barbarity must end. Peace must be given a chance and humanitarian aid must reach those in need,\u201d Sharif said on X.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe hope and pray for the safety of all those who have been illegally apprehended by Israeli forces.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nSpain Summons Top Israeli Diplomat<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"No](\"https:\/\/scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/557734623_4148980978693260_1933140517996480475_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=bd9a62&_nc_ohc=Tf5pLAkpQEMQ7kNvwEuSwhf&_nc_oc=AdnwA9sbNeeYVRLsOObmG8rNMlyRghLKnsbIzhNZDYTI77ERUVoYSI6FOePIyMNmJxQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=R-1RGX85apWCX3Rjp4cYjg&oh=00_AfbhZ1N1LA7L8MBiXE-nBo08isl-GTHH_8qfERR3K-uzEA&oe=68E46EE1\")
<\/p>\n![\"No](\"https:\/\/scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/557565221_4148982615359763_485335203013735640_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=bd9a62&_nc_ohc=enuoiZLtRZoQ7kNvwFYlvxQ&_nc_oc=AdmhaHlqBa-eK_iKvbVzx67A6dQKkSkqbebG0Czu-K-Sc37WxA_xAEhiX1wPEcESAak&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=O-1Z6ww7S1hccnoI9-hGvQ&oh=00_AfbYkS1HkhKGBCs5B2V4zAS1CrpcOY-wR-5p54swam2AjA&oe=68E470E3\")
<\/p>\nColombia Expels Israeli Diplomats<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"No](\"https:\/\/scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/557630921_4148979475360077_8177858230246344986_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=bd9a62&_nc_ohc=RfBw43kNCPwQ7kNvwFFyrJz&_nc_oc=Admooh-BLTFrOP8GTgLohORCFNsy-I7ps3tFKdmHH1tiwag4GPYGPn_EZjWwc0C7rfM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=sjtjAagLJB45BTNlQr3y8w&oh=00_Afbj0LQp6eeQVEeHjwhnB7bL9CLQDzo7PlT-NZIc9prVWg&oe=68E470C0\")
<\/p>\n\u2018Violates ICJ Injunction\u2019 \u2013 South Africa<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"No](\"https:\/\/scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/558836384_4148983965359628_7489183738651966421_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=bd9a62&_nc_ohc=kvJ20i64NoQQ7kNvwEojNm7&_nc_oc=Adkx6P9gADgQERIb-eJpYPXzBg257djmU3UxfR95dIRlzEtQutAkcy7SOEYqzPh-_H8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=CV5ER4VMzZJuLfXC9berfA&oh=00_Afbr-A6hcRBWNaQHEFmIV0omEQwHNQHjrb7ZC4bi5LgXBw&oe=68E49872\")
<\/p>\n\u2018Act of Terrorism\u2019 \u2013 Turkiye<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/G2M_u14XsAA-bhp?format=jpg&name=900x900\")
\u2018Breach of Maritime Law\u2019 \u2013 Ireland<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"No](\"https:\/\/scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/558857019_4148985805359444_3912145346615042947_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=bd9a62&_nc_ohc=3Nea0m7XOy8Q7kNvwGtXRkz&_nc_oc=Adnv6Zp9ZyIE_PX3jfbOxV09chrSbjpxmaluDSF8jXw1JaNRypKhhfd7sGHXLm9ZTUc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=OJrSNDuhmh4-qW03fQaHcA&oh=00_AfYChggyJI0Qp_pX971Za-vzO7GUmcSSF8W3RbuEQ8wQmQ&oe=68E49E2D\")
<\/p>\n \u2018Aid Should be Turned Over\u2019 \u2013 UK<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2018Palestinians are Suffering\u2019 \u2013 Brazil<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2018Criminal Nature\u2019 \u2013 Venezuela<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2018Act of Violence\u2019 \u2013 Bolivia<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2018Affront to Humanity\u2019 \u2013 Maldives<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2018Utter Contempt\u2019 \u2013 Malaysia<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2018Barbarity Must End\u2019 \u2013 Pakistan<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2018Shame on Western Governments\u2019 \u2013 Francesca Albanese<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"No](\"https:\/\/scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-6\/557588324_4148987248692633_5592855273153227592_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=bd9a62&_nc_ohc=pznmK3g61V4Q7kNvwEgBPI1&_nc_oc=Admm1z8SmerIuZipWUYSRyNNN4UzgGrpPPyll0hLxNlnZsDuiRSw-_snQuVbBuojA2k&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ayuF1RbQw11bzkfH0ObKbA&oh=00_Afa48CfEXkvYZluWhnxqbSE22LHNINHegpTDc9SE-0WgrA&oe=68E480E1\")
<\/p>\n