Ankara, Turkey. Organisers of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza said on Tuesday that Israeli forces had intercepted 41 of their boats in the eastern Mediterranean, with 10 vessels still sailing toward the enclave. Israel has said it will not allow any breach of the naval blockade on Gaza.
Interceptions and remaining vessels
The organisers said the closest vessel to Gaza, Sirius, was 145 nautical miles away.
Israel’s position on the blockade
Israel’s foreign ministry said on X on Monday that it “will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza”.
Turkey’s response
Speaking in Ankara late on Monday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemned the intervention against the “voyagers of hope” in the flotilla and called on the international community to act against Israel’s actions.
Flotilla departure and earlier attempts
Ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail for a third time on Thursday from southern Turkey, after earlier attempts to deliver aid to Gaza were intercepted by Israel in international waters.
Cyprus rescue coordination centre statement
Cyprus’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said the flotilla had never entered Cypriot territorial waters, with all activity taking place in international waters approximately 90 nautical miles from Cyprus. It added that should a distress signal be received, it would respond in accordance with its international obligations.
What do you think the international community should do in response to the flotilla interceptions?