New Israeli attack on Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla draws condemnations
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Activists from the Freedom Flotilla were detained by Israeli forces after their Gaza-bound aid convoy was raided and hijacked in international waters.
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Activists aboard the Freedom Flotilla raise their hands after Israeli naval forces intercepted the Gaza-bound humanitarian convoy in international waters early Wednesday. (Social media)
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Israeli occupation's attack on the Freedom Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and included activists, among them Turkish citizens and parliamentarians, calling it "an act of piracy." The Ministry said the assault constituted a flagrant violation of international law, warning that such actions further inflame regional tensions.
In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry denounced the "act of piracy committed by the genocidal Netanyahu government," saying "Israel" was targeting peaceful civilian initiatives aimed at alleviating suffering in Gaza. "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," the statement read.
Ankara confirmed that all necessary steps were being taken to ensure the release of detained Turkish citizens and to coordinate with other countries for the safe return of all activists. "Türkiye will continue to support the Palestinian cause and to work toward ending the genocide in Gaza," it added.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Thousand Madleens to Gaza convoy was hijacked early Wednesday in international waters, around 120 nautical miles off the enclave, according to reports. The flotilla, composed of activists from several countries, sought to deliver humanitarian aid and break the 18-year blockade imposed on Gaza, a blockade that has tightened further since March, when "Israel" closed border crossings and blocked the entry of food and medicine, pushing the Strip to the brink of famine.
Malaysia: Immediate release of activists
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also condemned the Israeli military's attack on the flotilla, calling it a "provocative action" and a violation of international law.
Writing on X, Anwar described the detention of humanitarian activists as "inhumane" and "a violation of universal human dignity," urging "Israel" to immediately release Malaysian citizens detained in the operation. "Detaining a humanitarian ship carrying aid for the people of Gaza is inhumane and violates the basic principles of human rights," he said.
Saya dimaklumkan bahawa kapal misi kemanusiaan Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) dan Thousand Madleens To Gaza (TMTG) yang turut membawa rakyat Malaysia telah dipintas secara tidak sah di perairan antarabangsa oleh tentera Zionis Israel sekitar jam 10.50 pagi waktu Malaysia.
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) October 8, 2025
Saya… pic.twitter.com/As0tfycdMI
Anwar confirmed that his government was working with other countries and international organizations to secure the activists' release and ensure their safety during detention. He added that Malaysia would continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and oppose the illegal siege of Gaza.
The latest incident follows "Israel's" seizure of more than 40 vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla last week and the detention of over 450 activists, most of whom were later deported.
Hamas: 'A New Act of Piracy and Terrorism'
The Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas also condemned the Israeli navy's assault on the flotilla, describing it as "a crime and a new act of piracy" against international activists carrying urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"This cowardly attack reflects the terrorist and fascist mentality that governs the Zionist occupation and its leaders," Hamas said in a statement. It accused "Israel" of using force to prevent the delivery of aid and to silence global voices exposing "an ongoing genocide and starvation campaign" against Palestinians in Gaza for the past two years.
Hamas held "Israel" fully responsible for the safety of the "abducted activists" and urged the United Nations and the international community to act immediately to secure their release and prevent further abuse. The group also called for the prosecution of Israeli leaders "for their crimes against humanity."
Other factions: International silence enables crimes
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement denounced the Israeli attack as an act of "piracy", citing the humiliating and dangerous treatment of the activists on board. The group said the event exposed the "moral collapse" of the Israeli army and accused European governments of complicity through their silence.
"The failure of the international community to hold war criminals, especially Netanyahu, accountable only encourages further crimes against the Palestinian people," the movement stated.
Similarly, the Palestinian Al-Mujahideen Movement described the assault as a direct result of global inaction and lack of accountability. The group said "Israel's" aggression toward humanitarian activists exposes "the ugly face of the occupation and its threat to humanity." It held Tel Aviv fully responsible for the safety of all participants, who it said risked their lives "in defense of human values and moral conscience."
Read more: Factions mark second anniversary of Al-Aqsa Flood, reject disarmament
Blockade and diplomacy
The Israeli Navy's attack on the flotilla occurred as the war on Gaza entered its third year, leaving the enclave devastated and uninhabitable. According to official figures, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, most of them women and children.
Talks to end the war are underway in Egypt, based on a 20-point plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, which includes a prisoner exchange, Gaza withdrawal, and a foreign-supervised administration. However, critics across the Arab and Islamic world say the proposal legitimizes Israeli control and marginalizes Palestinian sovereignty.
The Freedom Flotilla's mission, launched from international waters, was intended as a peaceful challenge to the blockade and a show of international solidarity with the Palestinian people. Instead, it was met with armed interception and mass detentions, prompting sharp diplomatic reactions from Türkiye, Malaysia, and Palestinian factions.
As condemnation spreads, the assault is expected to heighten diplomatic pressure on "Israel" and further expose the international divide over the Gaza genocide, particularly as calls grow for accountability at the United Nations.
