16 Countries Warn Against Attacks on Gaza Sumud Flotilla After Repeated Israeli Assaults on Previous Missions
Gaza (Quds News Network)- The Foreign Ministers of 16 countries have expressed concern about the safety of the Gaza-headed Global Sumud Flotilla and warned against “unlawful or violent” acts against it following repeated Israeli assaults on previous missions.
A joint statement was signed by Turkey, Spain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia and South Africa.
“The Global Sumud Flotilla has informed about its objective of delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and raising awareness about the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and the need to stop the war in Gaza,” the Foreign Ministers said.
“Both objectives, peace and humanitarian aid delivery, together with the respect of international law, including humanitarian law, are shared by our governments.”
A collection of more than 40 boats carrying critical aid left ports across Tunisia over the weekend, beginning the final leg of its journey to Gaza.
The departure from Tunis was delayed by 11 days, after two ships were attacked by drones and a number of assembled vessels failed to meet the organisers’ safety threshold.
Israel, which has frequently attacked other flotillas attempting to break the siege on Gaza, did not claim responsibility for the attacks.
The Foreign Ministers said: “We recall that any violation of international law and human rights of the participants in the flotilla, including attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability.”
The boats are carrying aid provisions including baby formula and medical supplies, as well as more than 300 participants. Among them are parliamentarians from countries including France, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Algeria, Italy and Germany.
“We’re carrying a lot of humanitarian aid, but we’re also carrying a message of support from the peoples of the world that we are with the Palestinian people,” said Bruno Gilga, a spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Two independent partner ships are sailing alongside the flotilla: a legal observer ship carrying international lawyers, and an Italian-based sea rescue ship, Lifesaver 2.
The Global Sumud Flotilla comes amid an Israeli-made famine in Gaza that has drawn global protests and calls for corridors of aid.
On Monday, the main ship Family was struck by a drone while docked in Sidi Bou Said, followed by an attack on the boat Alma on Tuesday night.
Organisers say the Global Sumud Flotilla, named after the Arabic word for “resilience”, represents one of the most determined challenges yet to Israel’s blockade of Gaza’s coastline.
In early June, Israeli naval forces intercepted the aid vessel Madleen in international waters, seizing its aid cargo and detaining its crew of 12, while in May, another vessel, the Conscience, was hit by drones near Maltese waters, leaving it unable to continue.
