Istanbul: Turkey announced that it is closely monitoring the conditions of its citizens who were aboard the Global Steadfastness Flotilla boats, which were illegally seized by Israel, and continues to take all necessary steps in this regard.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, sources in the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Ministry is closely monitoring the conditions of its citizens who were aboard the boats that were illegally seized by Israeli forces in an attack carried out while the flotilla was sailing in international waters. The sources explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to take all necessary steps in this regard. Although there may be some delays in completing the procedures due to religious holidays in Israel, the Turkish citizens are expected to be released in the coming days. The Ministry is also taking all necessary measures to ensure that citizens do not encounter any problems or health issues during this period.
On Wednesday evening, the Steadfastness Flotilla, a group of activists attempting to break the blockade of Gaza, announced via the X platform that it had been attacked by approximately 10 Israeli ships. The flotilla issued a distress call after the Israeli occupation forces intercepted its ships in international waters, considering this escalation a “war crime.” International organizations, including Amnesty International, called for protection for the Steadfastness Flotilla, while the United Nations affirmed that any attack on it was “unacceptable.”
The Israeli attack sparked popular protests and official condemnations in several countries, amid demands for the release of detained activists and for Tel Aviv to be held accountable for its crimes and violations of international law. Israel, the occupying power in Palestine, has previously engaged in piracy against ships bound for Gaza, seizing them and deporting the activists on board. This is the first time that dozens of ships have sailed together toward Gaza, home to some 2.4 million Palestinians, in a collective attempt to break the 18-year Israeli blockade of the Strip.