(MENAFN) Foreign ministers representing South Africa alongside 15 other states issued a collective declaration on Tuesday highlighting their concern for the security of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a civilian maritime relief mission bound for Gaza.

The appeal came after reports emerged of drone assaults last week on vessels from the flotilla near Tunisian waters.

Pretoria was joined by the administrations of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia, Spain, and Türkiye in cautioning of “accountability” for any breaches of the rights of GSF participants – including aggression in international waters or unlawful detention.

According to the statement, distributed through South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the coalition urged all parties to avoid “any unlawful or violent act” directed at the flotilla, while emphasizing the necessity of full adherence to international law.

DIRCO underlined that the GSF’s mission is centered on encouraging peace and delivering humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian territory, which remains under Israeli blockade.

On September 10, Tunisia’s Interior Ministry reported that the ship Alma, sailing under a British flag and part of the GSF, had been struck in a deliberate drone assault while moored in the port of Sidi Bou Said. The ministry characterized the strike as a “prepared attack.”

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