ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and 10 other countries on Thursday condemned Israel’s seizure of Gaza-bound aid vessels in international waters and demanded the immediate release of detained activists, describing the operation as a breach of international law.
In a joint statement issued with the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Brazil, Jordan, Spain, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Maldives, South Africa and Libya, Pakistan denounced the assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian initiative aimed at highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The statement comes after Israeli forces intercepted the vessels near Greece, saying it was to enforce a “lawful naval blockade” of the Palestinian enclave.
“The Israeli attacks against the vessels and the unlawful detention of humanitarian activists in international waters constitute flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law,” the ministers said in the statement.
“The Ministers are deeply concerned about the safety of the civilian activists and urge the Israeli authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure their immediate release,” they added.
The flotilla sailed from Barcelona on Apr. 12, carrying humanitarian aid and was intercepted late on Wednesday off Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula, hundreds of miles from Gaza.
Footage released by the group showed Israeli soldiers boarding vessels and detaining crew members.
Flotilla organizers condemned the interception as “piracy” and an unlawful assertion of control in international waters, while some Western governments, including Germany and Italy, said they were monitoring the situation with concern.
The United States backed Israel’s actions and warned of possible consequences for those supporting the flotilla, which it characterized as linked to pro-Hamas activity.
The joint statement by Pakistan and the other countries also called on the international community to uphold international law, protect civilians and ensure accountability for the incident.
