AMMAN — Foreign ministers from Jordan and other ten countries have issued a joint statement, condemning an Israeli assault on a civilian humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza.

 

The ministers, representing Jordan, Turkey, Brazil, Pakistan, Spain, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Colombia, the Maldives, South Africa and Libya, said the vessels were part of the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” an initiative aimed at drawing international attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

 

In the statement, the ministers denounced the incident “in the strongest terms,” describing the flotilla as a peaceful civilian effort.

 

They also said that the attacks on the vessels, along with the detention of humanitarian activists in international waters, amounted to “flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law.”

 

The group expressed concern for the safety of those detained and called on Israeli authorities to ensure their immediate release.

 

They also urged the international community to meet its “moral and legal obligations” by upholding international law, protecting civilians and ensuring accountability for the alleged violations.

 

Dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Crete disembarked on Friday in the Greek island, an AFP journalist saw.

 

Escorted by Greek coastguards, around 175 activists, the majority of them nationals of European countries, were taken in four coaches to the port of Atherinolakkos, in the southeast of the island.

 

As they approached the port, the activists chanted "Free Palestine," AFP saw.

 

Israel's foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 vessels on Thursday. Flotilla organisers put the number at 211.

 

Turkey's foreign ministry said some 20 Turkish nationals in the flotilla who had been grabbed by the Israeli forces and taken to Crete would be repatriated. It said "certain participants from third countries" would also be sent to Turkey.

 

The flotilla comprising more than 50 vessels set sail in recent weeks from Marseille in France, Barcelona in Spain and Syracuse in Italy.

 

Its aim, according to the organisers, was to break the blockade of Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.

 

Israel controls all entry points to Gaza. It has been accused by the United Nations and foreign NGOs of strangling the flow of goods into the territory, causing shortages since the start of Israel's war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023.

 

The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.

 

Several European governments with nationals among those arrested have called on Israel to free the activists and called its action a flagrant contravention of international law.

 

But the United States backed Israeli authorities, calling the flotilla a "stunt" and saying it expects allies to deny port access, docking, departure and refueling to vessels participating in the flotilla.

 

A State Department spokesman said Washington was exploring imposing "consequences" on those who support the flotilla.

 

In the summer and autumn of 2025, a first voyage by the Global Sumud Flotilla across the Mediterranean towards Gaza drew worldwide attention.

 

The boats in that flotilla were intercepted by Israel off the coasts of Egypt and the Gaza Strip in early October.

 

Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested and then expelled by Israel.