Widespread Global Condemnation Following Israel's Interception of the Resilience Fleet

SadaNews - Several countries and organizations condemned the interception operation carried out by the occupation navy against the Resilience Fleet, which carries humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip, and the detention of several of its ships and the arrest of the activists onboard.

Hamas stated that "the occupation army's interception of the Resilience Fleet and the arrest of activists is piracy and terrorism, and we call on the international community to take responsibility in condemning the occupation's piracy and taking urgent steps to protect the supporters and their ships."

For its part, the Islamic Jihad movement considered that "the aggression against the Resilience Fleet is maritime piracy and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian conventions, and the occupation bears full responsibility for the safety of the participants in the Resilience Fleet."

Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council's rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, stated: "Israel's kidnapping of the Resilience Fleet activists is illegal.. shame on the Western governments first and foremost, for their complicity."

The French Foreign Ministry stated: "We call on Israel to ensure the safety of the participants in the fleet and to provide their right to consular protection."

The Swiss Foreign Ministry said: "Any intervention against the Resilience Fleet must comply with the principles of necessity and proportionality to ensure the safety of the participants."

The Turkish Foreign Ministry declared: "We strongly condemn the attack launched by the Israeli Navy on the Resilience Fleet and consider it an act of terrorism."

The Spanish Foreign Ministry indicated that it is monitoring the situation of the Resilience Fleet, and the Spanish consulate in the area is on alert.

Additionally, several countries issued statements and condemnations denouncing the actions of the occupation.

The Belgian Foreign Ministry: "I urge the Israeli government to respect international law, including maritime law, and for Israel to protect the ships of the Resilience Fleet."

The Irish Foreign Ministry: "Israel's interception of the Resilience Fleet is concerning, and all those on board the Resilience Fleet ships must be treated according to international law."

European Parliament member Brando Benifei: "The Israeli Navy's interception of the Resilience Fleet is illegal and a criminal act, and the international community should have provided protection for the Resilience Fleet."

The Italian General Confederation of Labor called for a general strike on Friday in protest against the interception of the Resilience Fleet.

Earlier, Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that Israeli naval forces intercepted 4 of the 44 ships participating in the "Global Resilience Fleet" aiming to break the blockade on Gaza after attacking two ships and detaining those onboard, while participants, including an Al Jazeera live correspondent, were arrested.

The correspondent stated that the ships intercepted by the Israeli Navy carried dozens of activists and ordered the fleet to change its course towards Ashdod port.

For its part, Channel 13 in Israel reported that the navy has so far seized control of 6 ships in the Resilience Fleet. The channel reported from sources that the operation to control the Resilience Fleet will continue until tomorrow, Thursday.

Source: Al Jazeera + Agencies