The Government of Sri Lanka has expressed deep concern and profound distress over footage posted by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which appears to depict the dehumanizing treatment of detainees of  “Global Sumud Flotilla’’. 

Issuing a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka said it is already engaging with the Israeli Foreign Ministry through diplomatic channels to secure immediate consular access to the affected Sri Lankan national including guarantees for her safety, wellbeing, and dignity and swift and safe repatriation to Sri Lanka.  

The Government of Sri Lanka remains fully committed to ensuring the protection of its citizens abroad, the ministry added. 

Sameera Mehboobdeen had departed Sri Lanka in April to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international mission involving activists from nearly 100 countries aimed at breaking the blockade of Gaza.

More than 50 vessels set sail from Marmaris, Turkey, recently in what organizers described as the final leg of the journey to Gaza’s shores.

The Israeli Navy began intercepting the flotilla on Monday, weeks after a previous attempt was thwarted and two activists were detained. 

However, a recent video showing Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir taunting detained Gaza flotilla activists has sparked searing international condemnation, as well as a rare public reprimand from Israel’s prime minister.

Two videos released by Ben Gvir’s office show activists who were aboard a flotilla aiming to deliver aid to Gaza being arrested by police, with some seen held in the stress position in a make-shift holding space at the port of Ashdod on Wednesday. (Newswire)

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The Israeli Navy on Monday began to intercept the activist mission sailing to the Gaza Strip to challenge Israel’s naval blockade, just weeks after a previous flotilla was thwarted and two of its activists were detained.

More than 50 vessels departed from the port in Marmaris, Turkey, last week in what the organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla described as the final leg of their journey to Gaza’s shores.

It is reported that Sri Lankan participant Sameera Mahboobdeen is part of the fleet, and her fate is unknown. 

Naval commandos boarded the first of Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessels at sea off the coast of Cyprus, a livestream showed on Monday, which then abruptly ended.

By noon, six vessels had been intercepted.

“Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet and (Israeli) forces are boarding the first of our boats in broad daylight,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said on X.

“We demand safe passage for our legal, non-violent humanitarian mission.”

Turkey condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla, stating it “constitutes a new act of piracy.”

“Israel must immediately cease its intervention and unconditionally release the detained flotilla participants,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said, adding that “the process is being closely monitored in cooperation with other countries.”

Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that his country’s embassies in Israel, Turkey, and Cyprus have asked Israel to ensure the safety of the Italian citizens on the flotilla.

Earlier, Israel warned the “participants in this provocation to change course and turn back immediately.”

“Once again, a provocation for the sake of provocation: another so-called ‘humanitarian aid flotilla’ with no humanitarian aid,” the Foreign Ministry posted on X. The Israeli military declined to comment on the ongoing operation.

Israel has previously dismissed the flotillas as publicity stunts, after their organizers rejected calls to transfer the small amount of symbolic aid they had been carrying with them to Israel or international organizations to be taken into the Strip and distributed via official channels.

The Global Sumud Flotilla will be the third initiative in a year aiming at breaking an Israeli blockade on Hamas-ruled Gaza, which has suffered severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel since the Palestinian terror group invaded Israel in October 2023, sparking two years of war in the coastal enclave.

The flotilla is being led by Turkish aid organization IHH, which is designated in Israel as a terror organization and which organized the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla to Gaza.

Israeli forces intercepted the second flotilla in international waters off Greece on April 30 and sent most of the 175 activists to Europe, but arrested two of them, who were held for 10 days before being deported. 

Organizers said the latest efforts involve a regrouped fleet following Israel’s interception, joined by additional boats. Nearly 500 activists from 45 countries are said to be taking part.

Previous efforts to breach the blockade have also failed. The last time an activist boat succeeded in reaching the strip was in 2008. (Newswire/ Times of Israel)

The Israeli Navy has begun to intercept the activist mission sailing to the Gaza Strip to challenge Israel's naval blockade. pic.twitter.com/YXeSwxPDOd

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) May 18, 2026

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Civil society groups, political representatives and activists in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (13) called for urgent public and diplomatic support to ensure the safety of Sri Lankan participant Sameera Mahboobdeen and other members of a humanitarian mission set to sail towards Gaza from Turkey on Thursday (14).

The appeal was made by the Free Palestine Movement – Sri Lanka (FPM), which said the Global Sumud Flotilla, expected to include more than 50 vessels, aims to deliver medical supplies and humanitarian assistance to Gaza amid ongoing conflict and restrictions on the territory.

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, FPM representatives urged the government and the public to remain engaged on the safety of Sri Lankan participants, saying the mission involves significant risks as it attempts to reach Gaza by sea.

They also referred to past flotilla incidents in which vessels were intercepted in international waters, highlighting concerns over the security of those taking part.

Several speakers, including political representatives and activists, called on authorities to ensure support for Mahboobdeen in the event of any interception and to facilitate her safe return.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Mujibur Rahman and other participants stressed the importance of public awareness and government involvement in safeguarding Sri Lankan nationals involved in the mission.

The group also criticised aspects of Sri Lanka’s foreign engagement related to Israel, while reiterating their broader call for attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is scheduled to depart from Turkey on Thursday (14). (Newswire)

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