MUSCAT: The Foreign Ministry has confirmed that it is closely monitoring the situation of the Omani citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, and is committed to ensuring their safety and facilitating their safe return to Oman.
At the same time, it calls for the safety of all participants in the fleet to be ensured, and for them not to be exposed to any risks.
The Sultanate of Oman reiterates its call to the international community to fulfill its legal and humanitarian responsibilities, to exert pressure on the occupying forces to cease their repeated violations, and to allow humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip without hindrance.
The Sultanate of Oman condemned and denounced the Israeli attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla loaded with urgent humanitarian aid heading for the Gaza Strip, viewing it as yet another violation of all international and humanitarian laws. Oman stressed that the continuation of such inhumane acts by the occupation authorities reveals a systematic policy that uses starvation as a tool of war.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Thursday, the Sultanate of Oman renewed its urgent call to immediately allow the entry of humanitarian and relief aid into the Palestinian territories without any obstacles. Oman stressed the necessity for the international community to undertake its legal and humanitarian responsibilities to stop these violations and protect civilians.
Israel said it will deport pro-Palestinian activists on an aid flotilla intercepted at sea as they headed towards Gaza, adding that none of the vessels had successfully breached its maritime blockade.
The Global Sumud Flotilla of around 45 vessels began its voyage last month, with politicians and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, heading to Gaza, where the United Nations says famine has set in.
The Israeli navy has intercepted vessel after vessel at sea since Wednesday, after warning the activists against entering waters it says fall under its blockade, with Thunberg's boat among those stopped from going further.
"None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade," Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement.
"One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented."
According to Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, 39 of the around 45 ships have been intercepted and were headed to the Israeli port city of Ashdod, according to state broadcaster ERT.
"All passengers are in good health. No violence has been exercised," Gerapetritis said.
Israel said the activists would be deported to Europe, without specifying which countries they would be sent to.
"Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin," the foreign ministry said on X, posting photos of Thunberg and other activists aboard a boat.
In a statement, the flotilla organisers branded the interceptions as "illegal".
"Beyond the confirmed interceptions, livestreams and communications with several other vessels have been lost," they added.
In Italy, which has already seen a general strike in support of the flotilla, hundreds of protesters turned out on Wednesday in Rome.
In Naples, demonstrators blocked trains at the main station for around an hour before being cleared by police.
Unions have called for another strike on Friday to urge stronger action from the government against Israel's actions in Gaza.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he will expel all remaining Israeli diplomats in the country over the interception.
Türkiye called the interception "an act of terrorism", and on Thursday said it had opened an investigation after Israeli forces arrested Turkish citizens on board the flotilla. — Agencies
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