Gaza: Israeli occupation military intercepted and attacked the civilian ship, Madleen, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, reported the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the organization behind the campaign.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the incident involved the unlawful boarding of the vessel, the abduction of its unarmed civilian crew, and the confiscation of its life-saving cargo, which included essential items such as baby formula, food, and medical supplies. The Coalition’s statement emphasized these actions.
Huwaida Arraf, a human rights attorney and organizer for the Freedom Flotilla, condemned the seizure, stating that “Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen.” She argued that the seizure is a blatant violation of international law and defies the International Court of Justice’s binding orders that require unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. Arraf further asserted, “These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalized for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade-their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”
Reports indicate that Israeli forces had issued threats to the Gaza-bound vessel days before its expected arrival. The Madleen had departed from Sicily, Italy, on June 1, with the intent to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the blockade. Among the 12 activists onboard is Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
The Coalition also mentioned that the occupation had previously attacked their charity vessel, Conscience, by bombing it with a drone, preventing its arrival in Gaza.