JERUSALEM, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Navy has completed taking over the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Thursday in a statement.
All the aid vessels have been stopped in the Mediterranean Sea, except for one that "remains at a distance" from Gaza, it said, adding that none of the vessels has succeeded in entering an active combat zone or breaching Israel's "lawful" naval blockade.
The foreign ministry warned of taking further action against the last vessel if it approaches.
All the passengers are in good health, "making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe," it added.
The GSF, comprising some 50 vessels with over 500 volunteers from more than 40 countries, aims to challenge Israel's naval blockade and deliver food and medical aid to Palestinians.
On Wednesday, Israel confirmed that it had detained several vessels from the GSF in the Mediterranean Sea earlier in the day and was transferring the passengers to an Israeli port, a move that met immediate and fierce global condemnation.
On Thursday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the Israeli move was "an act of terrorism that gravely violates international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians."
Meanwhile, the chief public prosecutors' offices in Istanbul and Ankara announced an investigation into Israel's detention of 24 Turkish citizens on board the GSF, with charges including "deprivation of liberty," "hijacking or seizure of transport vehicles," "aggravated looting," "damage to property," and "torture."
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry also condemned the Israeli move in a statement released Thursday, calling it a flagrant violation of international law, a threat to freedom of navigation, and an endangerment to civilian lives.
It said it is closely following the situation of Jordanian citizens aboard the GSF, having direct contact with some of them, and taking all necessary measures to ensure their safety, protect their rights, and secure their return to Jordan. ■
