ANKARA

Türkiye’s Justice and Development (AK) Party on Thursday called on Israel to release the activists it detained during its “hostile attack” on the Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla as it was en route to Gaza to break Israel’s blockade.

“Israel must immediately release our citizens and all passengers it detained during its hostile attack on the Sumud Flotilla,” said party spokesperson Omer Celik on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.

“Israel’s attacks have once again been set down as crimes against humanity and a continuation of genocidal actions. Those responsible for these attacks must inevitably be punished under the law. Sooner or later these modern-day Nazis will be held to account,” he said.

Saluting the activists, Celik said that the aid flotilla’s voyage has once again shown that humanity will not be diverted from its course and that despite physical obstacles, the goal will ultimately be reached.

“This noble voyage has strengthened in our hearts the cause of a Free Palestine and GAZA — HOME OF HUMANITY. May the path and journey of those who struggle for Gaza be blessed,” he added.

Turkish parliament condemns Israel’s attack on aid flotilla

Separately, Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said: “The Grand National Assembly of Türkiye condemns to the fullest extent (Wednesday’s) barbaric attacks, which violated international law and humanitarian law.”

In opening remarks at Thursday’s meeting of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Committee, he said: “(Israeli Prime Minister) Netanyahu and his clique will continue to be isolated. A day will come when all of humanity will race to avoid being in the same picture -- the same room -- with them.”

Israeli naval forces attacked the international aid flotilla of 44 ships bound for the besieged Gaza Strip and detained 223 activists on board late Wednesday, according to a statement by the organizers.

The activists aboard the ships attacked by Israel were of various nationalities, including Spaniards, Italians, Brazilians, Turks, Greeks, Americans, Germans, Swedes, British, and French citizens, and many others.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the detained activists were on their way to Israel's Ashdod Port, from where they will be deported to Europe.

The official flotilla tracker showed that 21 vessels had been attacked by the Israeli forces, with 23 others en route to Gaza.

Since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed over 66,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children. Its relentless bombardment has rendered the enclave all but uninhabitable, accompanied by a long-standing blockade which has led to starvation and the spread of disease.