Gaza flotilla interception draws condemnation from partner of detained crew member

An insider whose partner joined the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an aid mission bound for Gaza, condemned Israel for intercepting the flotilla and expressed deep anguish over her detention.

In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), James Murua, the partner of Zukiswa Wanner -- one of the crew members on a flotilla ship intercepted by Israel -- condemned Israel's actions and described his distress upon learning that his partner had been detained.

Murua said Wanner joined the mission to provide much-needed aid to the people of Gaza, but despite their best efforts, the operation was ultimately made impossible.

"There are two million people in Gaza who are basically starving to death. Everybody is trying to do anything that they can do to try to help them, give them relief. And people like Zukiswa, who applied to be on the flotilla -- she did what she could, and she thought, maybe I can help, I can join the flotilla, lend my voice, because people are dying there. We want people to know, we want the conscience of the world to see. We did our best, and it's not because we didn't do our best -- it's because there are other forces that were in play," Murua said.

Murua recalled the moment he learnt Wanner might have been detained, describing it as extremely tough.

"I basically broke down because I know, I've been following what the Israelis are doing to anybody who stands in the way of their mission to make sure that Palestine is no longer existing. So I remember that I actually broke down and started crying. It was really tough for me, especially that time when I realized that they were taken over," he added.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that the Israeli navy has completed taking over the GSF.

The GSF, comprising some 50 vessels with over 500 volunteers from more than 40 countries, aimed to challenge Israel's naval blockade and deliver food and medical aid to Palestinians.

Israel has maintained a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007, following Hamas' takeover of the enclave. Restrictions were further tightened after the conflict between Hamas and Israel broke out in October 2023.

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 66,288, with 169,165 others injured since the conflict broke out, Gaza's health authorities said in a statement on Friday.

Gaza flotilla interception draws condemnation from partner of detained crew member

Gaza flotilla interception draws condemnation from partner of detained crew member

Gaza flotilla interception draws condemnation from partner of detained crew member

China opposes the use or threat of force in international relations, opposes imposing one's own will on others, and opposes a return of the world to the "law of the jungle," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday.

During the call, Araghchi briefed Wang on the latest developments in Iran, saying the recent unrest was incited by external forces and that the situation has now returned to stability.

Saying that Iran has made preparations to respond to external interference while keeping the door wide open to dialog, Araghchi expressed hope that China would play a greater role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China consistently upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, opposes the use or threat of force in international relations, opposes imposing one's own will on others, and opposes a return of the world to the "law of the jungle."

He said that the Chinese side believes the Iranian government and people will stay united, overcome difficulties, maintain national stability, and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

Wang also called on all parties to cherish peace, exercise restraint, and resolve differences through dialog, adding that China is willing to play a constructive role in this regard.

Chinese, Iranian FMs have phone conversation