Türkiye condemns Israel for “piracy” after intercepting the Sumud Global Flotilla

Published at: 18/05/2026 10:00 AM

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye has described as a “new act of piracy” the intervention of the Israeli Navy against the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, which occurred this Monday during its journey to the Gaza Strip.

The civil convoy, which sailed last week from the Turkish port of Marmaris, is made up of about 50 boats and nearly 500 activists of 45 nationalities. According to sources in the organization, the approach by Israeli forces began in broad daylight in the eastern Mediterranean, approximately 80 nautical miles west of the coast of Cyprus.

Ankara demands immediate release: The Turkish government denounced that the operation violates humanitarian principles, international law and freedom of navigation on the high seas. He demanded that Tel Aviv stop the intervention and release the detained participants unconditionally, confirming that it coordinates with other countries efforts to ensure the safe return of its citizens.

For their part, the Israeli Zionist authorities justified the naval action by arguing that they will not tolerate any violation of the maritime blockade that has been weighing on Gaza since 2007, calling the civil initiative a “provocation” and ordering the diversion of ships to the port of Ashdod.

The organizing coalition, which broadcast part of the operation live, reiterated the peaceful and legal nature of its humanitarian assistance mission, demanding a “safe passage” for the delivery of supplies in the face of the worsening of the crisis in the Palestinian enclave.

Mazo News Team