The Maldives has joined 10 other countries in condemning the Israeli military’s interception of the “Global Sumud Flotilla”, a convoy of vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In a joint statement issued alongside Brazil, Jordan, Pakistan, Spain, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Colombia, South Africa, Turkey and Libya, the Maldives expressed strong opposition to the obstruction of what it described as a peaceful humanitarian initiative.
The foreign ministers of the participating countries said the flotilla was organised by civil society groups to draw attention to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. They stressed that blocking such efforts was unacceptable.
The statement further described the interception of vessels in international waters and the detention of humanitarian activists as serious violations of international law and international humanitarian law. It also noted that protections afforded to humanitarian workers under the Geneva Conventions had been disregarded.
The countries expressed concern over the safety of those detained and called on Israeli authorities to ensure their immediate release. They also urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral obligations, including the protection of civilians and ensuring accountability for violations of international law.
According to reports, Israeli naval forces intercepted the “Global Sumud Flotilla” on Wednesday night in international waters, approximately 45 nautical miles from the Greek island of Crete and around 600 nautical miles from Gaza.
More than 20 vessels were halted during the operation, with over 175 activists from multiple countries reportedly detained and taken to Israel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, formed in mid-2025, is an international initiative aimed at delivering essential humanitarian supplies to Gaza, including food, medical equipment and infant formula, while challenging the ongoing blockade.