(MENAFN) Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry has denounced the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla in international waters, describing it as “an act of piracy committed by the genocidal Netanyahu government.”

In its statement, the ministry asserted that “this attack on civilian activists, including Turkish citizens and members of parliament, constitutes a grave violation of international law.”

The statement further warned that “by violently targeting all efforts that uphold humanitarian values and employ peaceful means, Israel is escalating tensions in the region and undermining efforts toward a lasting peace.”

According to the ministry, Turkish authorities have already “taken all necessary steps to secure the release of our citizens detained by Israeli forces (aboard Freedom Flotilla) and their return to our country,” emphasizing that the well-being of other detained activists is being monitored in cooperation with other nations.

Reaffirming its stance, the ministry added that “Türkiye will continue to support the Palestinian cause and to work toward ending the genocide in Gaza.”

Reports indicated that the latest flotilla set out after Israeli naval forces attacked and confiscated more than 40 vessels belonging to the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla the previous week, detaining over 450 participants, most of whom were later deported.

This incident follows a series of similar actions in which Israel, as the occupying power, intercepted Gaza-bound ships, seized their aid supplies, and expelled the activists onboard.

For nearly 18 years, Israel has enforced a blockade on Gaza—home to roughly 2.4 million residents—tightening restrictions further in March by shutting border crossings and halting the entry of food and medical aid, a move that has worsened the humanitarian crisis and pushed the territory toward famine.

Since October 2023, continuous Israeli bombardments have reportedly killed nearly 67,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children, leaving the enclave largely uninhabitable. Efforts to reach a cease-fire, according to reports, are ongoing in Egypt under a 20-point peace initiative announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

MENAFN08102025000045017281ID1110166903