Türkiye condemns Israeli ‘aggression’ against Gaza aid flotilla

Türkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran on Wednesday denounced Israel’s military intervention against the Global Sumud aid flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza, describing the operation in international waters as an act of aggression.

‘Barbarity exposed’

In a statement posted on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Duran said: “I strongly condemn the intervention carried out against the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, as well as the aggressive treatment of those on board the flotilla, which had set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.” He added that the verbal and physical attacks against civilians once again “clearly exposed the Israeli administration’s lawless conduct and its disregard for human dignity and universal humanitarian values.” Referring to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Duran said: “The barbarity displayed by a genocidal Israeli minister towards the activists has taken its place among the darkest pages of history.”

Call for release of volunteers

Duran called for the safe return of all detained aid volunteers to their home countries and stressed that Türkiye, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership, will continue to stand with “the oppressed” and defend “the just cause of the people of Gaza on every platform.” Türkiye has been at the forefront of international efforts to break the Gaza blockade and has repeatedly condemned Israel’s interception of civilian aid missions.