Turkish crew member on Gaza-bound flotilla condemns illegal interception, detention

A Turkish citizen who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an aid mission bound for the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, condemned Israel for intercepting the flotilla after being released from detention.

Israel has blocked several international aid flotillas from reaching Gaza in recent months. Last week, the Alma ship of the Sumud Flotilla was illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces.

Turkish citizen and captain Onur Murat Kolgu was one of the activists on board. He was sent back to Türkiye after being detained by Israeli forces.

He shared the experience in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), stressing the mission was completely based on humanitarian purposes.

"The Sumud Flotilla was not launched as belonging to any nation or any religious element, but as a completely civilian initiative—an initiative of civilians from all nations who felt a sense of conscience and humanitarian responsibility. On our ship, there were people from 14 different nations. The purpose of the Sumud Flotilla is to break the illegal blockade on Gaza, to open a humanitarian corridor, and at the same time to pressure governments to stop this genocide. That is our goal," Kolgu said.

Kolgu recalled the attacks by Israeli drones, saying that he barely survived.

"When we arrived in Tunisia, while we were there, our flagship, the Famil ship, was attacked by a drone. An incendiary bomb was dropped from a drone. On the second day, our ship, the second flagship Alma, was also attacked by a drone. We told them over the radio that we were not going to Israel, but to Palestine. Despite that, first they came with drones and conducted surveillance. Later, assault boats came and seized the ship," he said.

Kolgu said regardless of the interception, the mission was still successful in drawing more global attention to the humanitarian issue in Gaza.

"We must constantly keep Gaza on the agenda. This is a humanitarian issue. It is not a religious or national issue. In fact, in a way, we became a means for people to awaken, for the awakened to become more awake. In this sense, I think this mission has been fully successful," he said.

Turkish crew member on Gaza-bound flotilla condemns illegal interception, detention

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