The activists, including three Turkish citizens and four Germans, one of whom was of Turkish origin, were sailing aboard the Sunflower, which had set sail from Spain on August 31 bound for the Gaza Strip as part of the international effort to break the blockade imposed by Israel on the Palestinian enclave.

On the night of September 30, the crew requested emergency assistance after the rudder broke and the engine failed, causing the vessel to begin taking on water.

In response, the Turkish Navy deployed the frigate Gediz, which rescued the activists and transported them to the port of Marmaris, in the southwestern province of Mugla.

On Wednesday night, the Steadfastness Flotilla denounced that at least 10 Israeli military vessels attacked several of its ships in international waters, which it described as a “war crime.”

The International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza confirmed that some vessels were attacked by Israeli forces, while organizations such as Amnesty International demanded immediate protection for the flotilla participants.

The United Nations, for its part, reiterated that any attack on civilian vessels on a humanitarian mission is “unacceptable.”

Israel, the occupying power in Palestine, has previously intercepted similar missions intended to deliver aid to Gaza. However, this is the first time dozens of ships have sailed in a coordinated manner toward the Strip, with the aim of denouncing and challenging the 18-year blockade imposed by Tel Aviv.

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