UN expert alarms over reports of Israeli fire on Gaza flotilla

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, expressed alarm after reports that Israeli forces fired on activists aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters.

In a post on X, Albanese accused Israel of being allowed to “threaten, kidnap and shoot at civilians” at sea and criticised the European Union over its support for Israel.

The interception of the flotilla has drawn condemnation from several countries, including Turkiye, Spain, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, Libya and the Maldives in a joint statement issued by their foreign ministers.

Meanwhile, Irish President Catherine Connolly said she was “very proud” of her sister Margaret Connolly, who is among those detained aboard the flotilla.

Maximum alert on the Flotilla!

Israel has been given license to threaten, kidnap and shoot at civilians ALSO in int'l waters!

Welcome to Apartheid without Borders - soon to be Apartheid Mediterranean Consortium.

Shame on the EU, its main enabler in this part of the world. https://t.co/DQ6cWa24gU

— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) May 19, 2026