News - Middle East: The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has robustly denounced the Israeli regime’s attacks on multiple vessels belonging to the Gaza Strip-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.

In a statement on Thursday, the movement called the aggression targeting the ships, their activists, and accompanying journalists a “treacherous attack, a crime of piracy, and maritime terrorism.”

“We condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric aggression launched by the enemy against the Sumud Flotilla and affirm that intercepting the flotilla is a criminal act that must be condemned by all free people of the world,” it added.

The group, however, commended the activists’ courage and determination to break the regime’s near-total siege of the already war-battered coastal sliver.

Additionally, it called for global protest actions condemning the aggression and worldwide denunciation of the atrocity.

The flotilla, made up of over 50 vessels, set sail from Barcelona late last month on a mission to challenge what human rights groups have condemned as one of the harshest and most inhumane blockades in the world.

Described as the largest maritime effort of its kind in decades, the flotilla brings together delegations representing at least 44 different countries.

Hamas’ condemnation followed Israeli naval forces’ interception of multiple vessels belonging to the fleet as they had sailed as far as nearly 90 nautical miles off the Palestinian territory.

According to the flotilla’s organizers, Israeli patrol boats had surrounded the fleet and intercepted at least three vessels near Gaza.

Other vessels, including Yulara and Meteque, “have been targeted with water cannons,” the fleet reported.

The aggression has been met with widespread protests worldwide, including across European cities such as Brussels, Berlin, and Rome.

The International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza (ICBSG), a Palestinian initiative established in 2009, denounced the atrocity as a “war crime.”

Venezuela said the “only real threat to world peace is Zionism, a colonialist and apartheid ideology that systematically violates international law and human decency.” “Our unwavering solidarity is with the heroic Palestinian people and with the brave men and women who, risking their own safety, keep the flame of humanity alive in the face of Nazi-fascist darkness.”

Turkey condemned the regime for committing “the most serious violation of international law,” calling the aggression "an act of terrorism” that endangered the lives of innocent civilians.

Belgian, French, and Finnish authorities expressed concern and urged Israeli officials to ensure the safety of those participating in the fleet.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in a post on X that Paris expected Israeli officials to ensure the safety of the participants, guarantee their right to consular protection, and allow those with French citizenship among them to return to France as soon as possible.

The Irish foreign minister called the attacks “very concerning,” saying the flotilla was "a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe."

"I am keeping in close contact with my officials who are working on the ground and have also spoken with EU counterparts on the Global Sumud Flotilla," Simon Harris wrote on X, former Twitter.

In a joint statement, Italy and Greece appealed to Tel Aviv to "guarantee the safety and integrity of the flotilla's participants.” They also warned the flotilla’s activists that their actions “could be exploited by those who still reject peace.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the activists "do not represent a danger or a threat to Israel," and urged the Israeli regime not to “represent a threat to this flotilla either.”

Source: Press TV