The foreign ministries of several Gulf countries will reportedly work together to press for the release of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, who were detained by Israeli authorities earlier this week after vessels were intercepted and attacked.
Khalil Bu Hazza, the spokesperson for the Sumud Flotilla’s Gulf delegation, said dialogue had started between top diplomats from Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman to ensure the release of the detained activists.
Bu Hazza told The New Arab’s Arabic-language site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, that the legal department of Sumud’s Gulf delegation had received positive responses from officials, and that they were awaiting official action concerning the activists’ release.
On Thursday, Israeli forces arrested more than 450 activists after naval forces stormed and attacked the Sumud Flotilla’s vessels, as they slowly approached their intended destination of Gaza, where they are seeking to break Israel’s deadly siege and deliver crucial humanitarian relief.
Among the Gulf activists arrested were: Mohammed Abdullah and Sami Abdul Aziz from Bahrain, Amama Al-Lawati from Oman, Mohammed Jamal, Abdullah Al-Mutawa, and Khaled Abdul Jader from Kuwait, in addition to Jordanian residents in the Gulf, Abdulrahman Ghazal and Abdullah Ghobash.
Israel faced international condemnation for its actions on Wednesday and Thursday. A handful of activists have been released since, including four Italian parliamentarians after their diplomatic immunity was recognised by Israel.
On Saturday, around 137 activists from various nations were set to arrive in Istanbul, Turkey, after being deported by Israel.
Two days ago, Bahrain witnessed a demonstration calling for the release of Bahraini and Gulf citizens who had participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla. According to Bu Hazza, pro-Palestinian organisations in Bahrain are due to stage another sit-in on Saturday.
In Oman, activists made calls on social media for a peaceful demonstration in front of the US embassy in the coming days, in support of Al-Lawati. They also called on the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take immediate action to release her and her colleagues through diplomatic means.
Meanwhile, activists in Kuwait are eager to welcome Kuwaiti participants should they be released. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the interception and storming of the flotilla, affirming its commitment to the safety of its citizens and demanding that the security of all participants be guaranteed in compliance with international humanitarian law.
The Sumud Flotilla set sail in late August from several port cities in the Mediterranean, becoming the third attempt by a flotilla this summer to attempt to break Israel's siege of Gaza, where a hunger and starvation crisis has unfolded.