ANKARA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye on Monday condemned Israel's interception of a Gaza-bound aid ship in international waters, calling the move a "clear violation of international law."
Israeli forces boarded the British-flagged vessel Madleen early Monday as it attempted to breach the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. The ship, which was carrying humanitarian supplies including food and baby formula, was later towed to Israel's Ashdod port.
In a sharply worded statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry denounced the operation, warning that such actions undermine "the freedom of navigation and maritime security." Ankara added that global opposition to Israel's use of "hunger as a weapon in Gaza" would continue.
"Israel's aggressive and unlawful actions will not silence the voices that stand up for human dignity and universal values," the ministry said.
The Israeli government confirmed the interception and said the activists on board -- including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg -- would be deported.
The Madleen was the latest vessel in a series of attempts by international activists to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, which was imposed after Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. While Israel argues the blockade is necessary to prevent arms shipments to the militant group, critics and human rights organizations say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's 2.3 million residents.
The interception comes amid an ongoing war in Gaza, which erupted after Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. According to health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave, nearly 55,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's subsequent military campaign. ■
