Asia Pacific Report
Greenpeace International has condemned Israeli armed forces for illegally attacking a peaceful Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters for the second time.
The flobal environmental movement said in a statement it echoed the Global Sumud Flotilla’s urgent demand for safe passage for their peaceful humanitarian mission.
“Governments must act now to stop these illegal acts of aggression,” the Greenpeace statement said.
- READ MORE: Irish president’s sister, 2 Kiwis among Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel
- The Flotilla Tracker map showing the location of the vessels
- Live streams from the flotilla
- Other Gaza humanitarian flotilla reports
Greenpeace spokesperson Pujarini Sen said: “In Palestine, in Lebanon and now in international waters, Israel’s disregard for human rights and international law cannot be tolerated.
“How long will the world stand by and watch Israel act with such impunity?
‘Protect the flotilla’
“Greenpeace calls on all governments to act with urgency to uphold international law and ensure the immediate release and protection of the Global Sumud Flotilla with concrete steps to ensure its safe passage to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla is a peaceful international movement sailing to oppose Israel’s genocidal siege on Gaza, to confront the complicity that enables occupation, and to stand with the Palestinian people.
The Israeli government continues to enforce a blockade by land and sea of aid and food from international organisations. Blocking aid and targeting those who attempt to deliver it are violations of international humanitarian law.
CPJ protest over journalists
In New York, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on international governments to demand the immediate release and protection of all civilians detained after Israeli forces attacked and intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, including at least seven journalists on board.
“Detaining journalists for documenting a humanitarian mission is a grave violation of press freedom and international law,” said CPJ’s MENA regional director Sara Qudah in a statement.
“Israeli authorities must restore communications, ensure the safety of all passengers, and allow independent media to report without intimidation, violence, or arbitrary detention.
“Governments worldwide must act now to prevent further Israeli attacks on journalists and humanitarian civilians.”
At least 40 countries are represented by some 500 protesters and humanitarian activists on board the flotilla.
Israel is reported to have boarded and seized more than 60 boats in the flotilla.
At least two New Zealanders are reported to have been kidnapped by the Israeli military.
CPJ calls on international governments to demand the immediate release and protection of all civilians detained after #Israeli forces attacked and intercepted #the_Global_Sumud_Flotilla in international waters, including at least 7 #journalists on board. Detaining journalists for… pic.twitter.com/OpcQ33Jgrj
— CPJ MENA (@CPJMENA) May 18, 2026
