ISTANBUL

Activists aboard an 11-boat aid convoy sailing to the Israel-blockaded Gaza Strip appealed for international protection on Sunday as their mission is nearing the enclave.

“We are close to the possible interception point, and call to the international community to ensure the safety that we are entitled under international law,” the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said in a statement.

“The Thousands of Madleens” convoy reached the coast of Alexandria off Egypt’s coast early Sunday, around 560 kilometers (348 miles) from Gaza, in a new bid to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade on the Palestinian enclave.

“To all governmental and judicial institutions of European States and the European Union: this is a strong and firm appeal. We are at sea, sailing to Gaza and we are concerned,” FFC said.

“We are carrying out our legitimate work as deputies, journalists, doctors, nurses, sailors and citizens. We are a lawful and authorized humanitarian mission. Now we are worried about what may happen to us and the ongoing brutality that keeps unfold to the Palestinians.”

Organizers said that they received “alarming testimonies” from the Global Sumud Flotilla activists “regarding abuse, violence, and torture during their unlawful detention in Israel -- accounts that have been confirmed by support organizations.”

Israeli naval forces attacked and seized vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla late Wednesday and detained more than 470 activists from over 50 countries. The flotilla had been attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s blockade of the enclave.

“We urgently call on you to uphold and enforce international, humanitarian and maritime law,” FFC said.

We “urgently call on you to sanction Israel and stop your participation in the genocide in the framework of the European democracy.

“Why do institutions exist, if not to protect their citizens and ensure respect for the rule of law?”

FFC, a network of international civil society groups, has organized multiple attempts since 2010 to break the blockade of Gaza and highlight its humanitarian crisis.

Israel has maintained the blockade of Gaza, home to nearly 2.4 million people, for almost 18 years.

Since October 2023, Israeli bombardments have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children, and rendered it uninhabitable, with the blockade also pushing Gaza to famine.