Türkiye says Israel's Gaza aid flotilla intervention is act of piracy

Türkiye says Israel's Gaza aid flotilla intervention is act of piracy
On October 8, 2025, an Israeli soldier smashed CCTV on the Gaza-bound vessel ‘Gaza Sunbird.
Reuters

Türkiye on Wednesday slammed an intervention by Israeli forces against a flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza as an act of piracy and a violation of international law.

Türkiye's foreign ministry said the intervention against the Freedom Flotilla, including Turkish nationals and lawmakers, showed that the "genocidal" Israeli government targeted all peaceful measures and heightened tensions in the region while damaging peace efforts.

It added in its statement that all initiatives were being taken for Turkish citizens held by Israel to be freed and returned to Türkiye, and that it was coordinating with other countries regarding their citizens too.

Israel denies accusations of genocide.

The comments comes after the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) was attempting to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip when it was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on Wednesday (8 October). 

It's the second such interception in the past week. Israel had intercepted about 40 vessels and detained more than 450 activists in an aid convoy, the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was also attempting to deliver supplies to the Strip.

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