Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Monday condemned Israel for blocking the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, calling the interception a violation of international law, according to TRT Global. 

The ministry said the civilian ship, carrying humanitarian aid and Turkish citizens, was stopped in international waters. “This heinous act by the Netanyahu government, which threatens the freedom of navigation and maritime security, once again demonstrates that Israel is acting as a terror state,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also denounced the move. “Zionist Israeli administration has once again demonstrated its intolerance for even basic humanitarian aid reaching Gaza,” he wrote on X, calling the raid part of a “systematic destruction” campaign.

Presidential adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic called the incident “unacceptable” and accused Israel of exposing its “pro-terror stance.”

AK Party spokesman Omer Celik said Israel was “weaponising” aid and urged the world to respond.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission, said 12 people — including climate activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan — were detained by Israeli forces. The group described the raid as piracy, saying the Madleen was unarmed and carrying essential supplies.

Turkey repeated calls for unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza and a just peace in the region.

Read more at TRT Global.