Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday accused Israel of “brutality” in boarding an aid flotilla that said it was sailing to help Palestinians suffering under the offensive in Gaza.

“This attack by the Israeli government against civilians sailing in international waters has once again shown the madness of its genocidal leaders trying hide their crimes against humanity in Gaza” and reveals “once again Israel’s brutality,” Erdoğan said in a speech to his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Erdoğan’s criticism came after the İstanbul chief prosecutor’s office announced that it had opened an investigation into the arrest of Turkish citizens travelling with the flotilla.

The probe concerns “24 Turkish citizens detained following the attack carried out by elements of the Israeli navy in international waters against the Global Sumud flotilla,” a statement from the prosecutor’s office said, according to Turkish media.

It cited the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and said it would look into “crimes of deprivation of liberty, hijacking or detention of means of transport, aggravated looting, material damage and torture.”

Turkish media said nearly 40 Turkish citizens in all were detained and taken by Israeli forces for deportation to Europe.

The Turkish foreign ministry on Wednesday night denounced what it said was “an act of terrorism” by Israel after the flotilla was intercepted, and “hoped that this attack will not compromise efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.”

The flotilla announced on Thursday morning that it would continue its journey towards the Palestinian territory, despite the interceptions.

© Agence France-Presse