The foreign ministers of 16 countries have warned Israel against carrying out “unlawful or violent” acts against the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civil society initiative attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through sea vessels. 

In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the governments of Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia, South Africa, and Spain confirmed that their citizens are participating in the mission.

The top diplomats called on the Israeli regime “to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the flotilla, to respect international law and international humanitarian law.”

The statement also warned of consequences if the ships come under attack in international waters or if participants are detained.

“Any violation of international law and human rights of the participants in the flotilla, including attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability,” the ministers declared.

A collection of more than 40 boats carrying critical aid left ports across Tunisia over the weekend, beginning the final leg of its journey to Gaza.

The boats are carrying aid provisions, including baby formula and medical supplies, as well as more than 300 participants. Among them are parliamentarians from countries including France, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Algeria, Italy, and Germany.

Two independent partnerships are accompanying the flotilla: a legal observer ship carrying international lawyers and an Italian-based sea rescue ship, Lifesaver 2.

The ministers said the flotilla’s stated aim is to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza and raise awareness of “the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and the need to stop the war in Gaza”.

They added that their governments share these goals, stressing that both “peace and humanitarian aid delivery, together with the respect of international law, including humanitarian law, are shared by our governments”.

“We’re carrying a lot of humanitarian aid, but we’re also carrying a message of support from the peoples of the world that we are with the Palestinian people,” said Bruno Gilga, a spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Israel has frequently attacked other flotillas attempting to break the siege on Gaza. 

The Israeli genocide, which began in October 2023, has claimed at least 64,900 lives and left more than 165,000 injured.

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