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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">'Israel' abducts, detains 443 Gaza flotilla activists, sparks rebuke</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Al Mayadeen English</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time" dir="ltr">October 2, 2025</div>
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<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><p>World leaders rush to condemn "Israel's" seizure of the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.</p><div><ul id="gmail-content-slick-0"><div aria-hidden="false"><li>
<a href="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/10/2/61a0953d-d768-4752-a715-0abf52e2652d.jpg?width=1000" tabindex="0"><img src="https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/10/2/61a0953d-d768-4752-a715-0abf52e2652d.jpg?width=1000&preset=w700" alt="IIsraeli navy soldiers sail one of the boats from the Gaza-bound civilian flotilla Sumud toward the port of Ashdod, Israel, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 (AP)" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img"></a>
Israeli navy soldiers sail one of the boats from the
Gaza-bound civilian Sumud Flotilla toward the port of Isdud, occupied
Palestine, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 (<em>AP</em>)
</li></div></ul>
<p>The Global Sumud Flotilla <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/global-sumud-flotilla-sets-sail-for-gaza-without-uk-protecti?utm_source=mango-searchx&utm_medium=title_and_relatives&utm_campaign=Sumud" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported that Israeli occupation forces</a> intercepted the "peaceful convoy's ships" in international waters and subsequently abducted hundreds of volunteers.</p>
<p>According to the flotilla's report, more than 443 participants from
47 countries are now being detained illegally by Israeli authorities,
after the fleet was seized. It called for urgent international
intervention to ensure the safety of the volunteers detained by "Israel"
and to secure their immediate release.</p>
<p>In contrast, the Israeli occupation's Foreign Ministry stated that
"none of the ships in the Gaza aid flotilla succeeded in their attempt
to reach the sector," adding that "only one ship remains at a distance,
and if it attempts to violate the Gaza blockade, it will be intercepted
as well."</p>
<p>The Foreign Ministry claimed that the flotilla participants are in
good condition and are being taken to Israeli ports for deportation to
Europe.</p>
<h2>World leaders condemn 'Israel's' piracy, abductions</h2>
<p>The hijacking of the Global Sumud Flotilla ships, which were meant to
deliver life-saving aid to Gaza after more than 7 months of a brutal
Israeli siege that has led to an engineered famine in the territory, has
led to a diplomatic and public outcry. </p>
<p>While "Israel's" action against the flotilla has sparked global
popular outrage, with demonstrations, protests, and strikes being
announced in numerous countries, it has instigated condemnations by
world leaders and representatives</p>
<h3>Flotilla seizure exposes the 'criminal face' of Netanyahu, Israeli government: Erdogan</h3>
<p>Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday condemned Israel's
"act of piracy" against the global Sumud humanitarian flotilla en route
to Gaza to deliver aid to "oppressed Palestinians".</p>
<p>"Israel's" attack on civilians in international waters proves that
"the genocide apparatus is in a state of frenzy to conceal its crimes in
Gaza," Erdogan said during his address at the Justice and Development
(AK) Party provincial heads meeting.</p>
<p>"The genocidal Netanyahu government cannot tolerate even the slightest chance for peace to take hold," Erdogan further said.</p>
<p>"Global Sumud Flotilla has once again shown the world the brutality in Gaza and Israel\u2019s murderous face," he added.</p>
<p>"We will not abandon our Palestinian brothers and sisters and will
work with all our might to secure a ceasefire and restore peace," he
vowed.</p>
<p>Turkish authorities are monitoring the developments and taking
measures to ensure that citizens aboard the flotilla are not harmed,
Erdogan stressed.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it
is closely monitoring the situation of its citizens who were aboard the <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/mass-demonstrations-after-israeli-occupation-attacks-sumud-f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ships that were raided by Israeli forces</a> while en route to the Gaza Strip. </p>
<h3>Arab, Asian countries emphasize safety of activists aboard flotilla</h3>
<p>Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah al-Yahya also stressed that his
country is exerting all possible efforts to ensure the safety and secure
release of its citizens who are among the Sumud Flotilla, while
confirming that he is closely monitoring developments.</p>
<p><span>The Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman, Sheikh Ahmad
al-Khalili, declared that the Israeli entity's assault on the Sumud
Flotilla necessitates a concerted effort from the free world to curb
this brutal seizure, noting that the responsibility on the Arab-Islamic
world has multiplied. </span></p>
<p><span>He described the Israeli raid on the flotilla as a transgression on service for the sake of humanity.</span></p>
<p>The Qatari Foreign Ministry, on the other hand, published a statement
saying that it "emphasizes the importance of the safety of the
participants in the flotilla heading toward Gaza and their immediate
release from captivity."</p>
<h3>Malaysian PM vows to hold 'Israel' accountable</h3>
<p>Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has aligned himself with the <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/entire-fleet-heading-to-gaza-to-break-siege--sumud-flotilla">global condemnation</a>,
joining protests against "Israel" seizing the Gaza-bound Global Sumud
Flotilla, a vessel which included at least eight Malaysian nationals
among its participants.</p>
<p>\u201cI condemn in the strongest terms "Israel\u2019s" interception of the
Global Sumud Flotilla. These vessels carried unarmed civilians and
life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza, yet they were met with
intimidation and coercion,\u201d the Malaysian PM stated on Thursday.</p>
<p>He said his country will use all available means to hold the
occupation accountable for its detention of the Malaysian nationals
aboard the ships.</p>
<p>"This is very disheartening \u2013 that a peaceful humanitarian aid for
Gaza was not allowed. What\u2019s even more painful is that the world is just
watching. We are allowing Israel to carry out this aggressive action,"
PM Anwar added.</p>
<h2>Europe concerned over 'Israel's' actions</h2>
<p><span>Additionally, the UK Foreign Office expressed deep concern over</span><span> </span><a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/spain-to-dispatch-humanitarian-vessel-to-support-gaza-sumud?utm_source=mango-searchx&utm_medium=title_and_relatives&utm_campaign=Sumud" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Israel's" seizure of the aid flotilla</a><span> </span><span>bound for Gaza, stating it has told Israeli authorities that a safe resolution to the situation is essential.</span><span></span></p>
<p><span>The Ministry clarified in a statement that it is in contact
with the families of several British citizens participating in the
flotilla, emphasizing that the humanitarian aid carried by the flotilla
must be handed over to international organizations on the ground to
ensure its safe delivery to Gaza.</span></p>
<p>On his part, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/italian-unions-announce-strike-on-oct--3-over-gaza-flotilla" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced that "Israel" has detained</a> 22 Italians who were part of the Sumud Flotilla, confirming that they will be deported to their country within days.</p>
<p><span>In a statement published on Thursday, the German Foreign Ministry called on </span><a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/italian-union-declares-general-strike-over-attack-on-gaza-ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Israel" to treat those aboard</a><span> the boats headed for Gaza well and in a proportionate manner.</span></p>
<h2><span>Latin America stands against 'Israel's actions</span></h2>
<p>Mexico\u2019s Foreign Ministry issued a demand for the rights of its
citizens aboard the flotilla to be respected, while the Brazilian
government implored "Israel" to immediately and <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/greta-thunberg-arrested-as--israel--intercepts-gaza-aid-flot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unconditionally lift all restrictions</a> on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.</p>
<h2>South Africa describes seizue as a 'crime against international solidarity'</h2>
<p>Meanwhile, in the African continent, South African President Cyril
Ramaphosa stated on Thursday that "Israel's" interception of the
Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/petro-expels-israeli-diplomats--ends-free-trade-amid-israeli" target="_blank" rel="noopener">constitutes a "serious crime"</a> against "global solidarity and the humanitarian sentiments aimed at alleviating the suffering" in the territory.</p>
<p><span>In his statement, Ramaphosa called on the Israeli authorities
to immediately release the South African citizens and all others who
were aboard the flotilla, including Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, the
grandson of the late leader Nelson Mandela.</span></p></div></div></div>
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