Brazil strongly criticized Monday the Israeli attack on a humanitarian aid flotilla before Gaza's coastline, saying it was evidence that Israel's blockade on the Palestinian territories needs to be lifted, dpa reported.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the attack, in which nine people were killed, is made worse by the fact that "it took place in international waters."
"The tragic results of the Israeli military operation show, once again, the need to immediately lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip, to guarantee the freedom of movement of its inhabitants and the free access to that region of food, medicine and consumer goods," the statement said.
The ministry added that Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim was trying to locate a Brazilian citizen who travelled on one of the six vessels in the flotilla.
Brazil, which has strong ties with both Israel and the Arab world, has in recent months highlighted its credentials as a potential mediator in the Middle Eastern conflict.