‘Grave affront to humanity’: Maldives leader condemns Israel’s storming of Gaza aid flotilla

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu strongly condemned Israel on Thursday, after it intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, as the unarmed civilian vessels carrying vital humanitarian aid neared the coast of Gaza.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies, set sail for Gaza at the end of August.

It was the largest such mission in years, with over 40vessels carrying more than 500 activists from over 45 countries, including the Maldives.

On late Wednesday, Israel intercepted over a dozen of the vessels in international waters as it neared Gaza’s coast, and detained hundreds of activists on board, including Greta Thunberg.

In a post on X on Thursday morning, President Muizzu joined other world leaders in condemning Israel’s actions.

“Strongly condemn Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, unarmed civilian vessels carrying vital humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he wrote. “Such intimidation is unacceptable and must not be tolerated.”

He described the deliberate targeting of a humanitarian convey carrying much-needed relief as “a grave affront to humanity.”

“Targeting a humanitarian convoy carrying relief to a population deprived of freedom and basic necessities is a grave affront to humanity and international law,” he wrote.

Strongly condemn Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, unarmed civilian vessels carrying vital humanitarian aid to Gaza. Such intimidation is unacceptable and must not be tolerated. Targeting a humanitarian convoy carrying relief to a…

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) October 2, 2025

President Muizzu slammed Israel for its repeated disregard for human dignity.

“Through its repeated disregard for human dignity, showing neither mercy nor compassion, Israel has further isolated itself from the rest of the world,” he wrote.

He called on the international community to take decisive action against Israel’s gross and repeated violations of international law, which he said go “far beyond the moral compass shared by humanity.”

He also reaffirmed Maldives support for the Palestinian people.

“The Maldives stands in unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people in their just struggle for human right, justice, peace and security,” he wrote.

Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza has killed over 66,000 people and wounded over 167,000 since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be buried under the rubble of homes and office buildings devastated by Israeli air strikes.

The Global Sumud Flotilla marks the biggest mission to date to attempt to break Israel’s aid blockage in Gaza, as the coastal enclave endures a horrifying humanitarian crisis.

On board one of the observer vessels in the flotilla is Ibrahim Shaz (Bodey) the secretary general of the International Aid Campaign (IAC) Maldives.

Israeli naval forces boarded the vessels on late Wednesday about 70 nautical miles or 130 kilometers off the coast of Gaza, cutting communications and jamming signals as the flotilla neared the blockaded enclave.

In total, at least 13 vessels that are part of the flotilla have been intercepted at sea, and some 200 activists, including Greta Thunberg, have been arrested so far.

According to the flotilla’s live tracker, at least 26 vessels are still sailing, with the closest vessels to Gaza’s coastline appearing to be approximately 50-60 kilometers away.