By Terrence Kurira
The Embassy of the State of Palestine has strongly condemned what it calls a blatant act of maritime piracy committed by Israeli forces after they intercepted the Madaleen, a solidarity vessel carrying vital humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The ship, sailing in international waters, was seized by Israeli occupation forces who forcibly detained all 12 volunteers on board. Among those abducted were high-profile figures including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.
Palestinian Ambassador Tame Almassri denounced the incident as a form of state-sponsored terrorism and an outrageous violation of international law. He described the hijacking as a continuation of Israel’s aggressive policies, accusing it of committing genocide and deliberately blocking essential humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Embassy also raised alarm over the complete loss of communication with those on board the ship since the interception, raising serious concerns for their safety and well-being.
The solidarity activists, representing various nationalities, were en route to deliver much-needed relief in defiance of the ongoing blockade of Gaza. The State of Palestine has commended their bravery and determination, noting that their mission aimed to challenge Israel’s illegal siege, which has deprived millions of Palestinians of basic life-saving necessities including food, water, and medicine. In recent months, the blockade has been compounded by the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
According to the Embassy, Israeli forces have turned several aid distribution points into zones of mass violence, where desperate Palestinians are gunned down while attempting to access food and medical help. At least 115 people have been killed in such incidents, and more than 1,110 injured while waiting or attempting to transport aid to hospitals. These attacks, it says, highlight the Israeli military’s systematic targeting of civilians under the guise of security operations.
Since the start of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza in October 2023, the death toll has soared to 54,880, the majority of whom are women and children. Over 126,000 people have been injured, and countless others remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings, unreachable by emergency services due to ongoing hostilities and restricted access.
The State of Palestine is calling on the international community to break its silence and take urgent, concrete action. It demands the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained from the Madaleen, the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, and international accountability for what it terms war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel. The Embassy insists that global institutions, human rights bodies, and world leaders must not ignore the scale of the atrocities being committed.
“The world cannot look away,” the statement concludes. “Justice and human dignity demand action now.”
