ISTANBUL

An international committee on Wednesday called on the UN General Assembly to discuss the Israeli overnight attacks on a global Gaza-bound flotilla.

“In light of the ongoing 80th session of the UN General Assembly, we call on all member states to place the attacks on the flotilla on the Assembly's agenda and adopt a resolution addressing these grave violations,” the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza said on the US social media company X.

The committee urged member states, especially those with nationals on board of the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels, “to ensure and facilitate effective protection immediately, including naval escort, accredited diplomatic observers, and a visible international presence.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla reported at least 13 explosions around several of its boats in international waters, and more than 15 drones hovered above one of the vessels on Tuesday night.

“This comes on top of a sustained campaign of intimidation and disinformation by Israel, aimed at discrediting and endangering the 500+ unarmed civilians aboard the flotilla who are attempting to deliver food and medical supplies to Gaza to help end Israel’s illegal blockade,” the organization said in a press release.

Israeli authorities have not commented on the latest reports, though past aid flotillas have been intercepted.

The flotilla, made up of about 50 ships, set sail earlier this month with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade and delivering humanitarian aid, particularly medical supplies, to Gaza, where 2.4 million Palestinians have been under siege for 18 years.

UN investigators recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, where nearly 65,400 people have been killed since October 2023.