Israel seizes ‘Madleen’ aid ship in international waters, detains activists

Muslim Network TV – Israeli commandos have intercepted the Madleen, a humanitarian aid vessel, in international waters approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Gaza.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg is among the 12 activists onboard the vessel who have been detained by Israel.

They are being taken to the port of Ashdod by Israeli authorities.

The ship, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was carrying aid to Palestinians facing dire conditions due to Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza, which has resulted in a starvation crisis.

The activists reported being sprayed with a thick white substance by Israeli forces during the interception.

The irritant caused burning eyes and discomfort, with experts speculating it might have been a chemical tracking agent designed for radar visibility or other surveillance purposes.

The Madleen departed Sicily on June 1, one month after an Israeli drone strike targeted another Gaza-bound aid ship.

Hours before the interception, Rima Hassan recorded a video detailing anticipated Israeli tactics, including confiscation of personal belongings and detention for interrogation at the port of Ashdod.

According to Aljazeera, among the 12 activists detained were several prominent figures:

• Greta Thunberg, the 22-year-old Swedish climate activist renowned for her global environmental advocacy.
• Rima Hassan, a French Palestinian Member of the European Parliament representing the Green Party.
• Baptiste Andre, a French doctor and activist expected to provide medical assistance if needed.
• Marco van Rennes, a Dutch activist with the Boat to Gaza initiative.
• Omar Faiad, an Al Jazeera Mubasher journalist who requires daily asthma medication.
• Pascal Maurieras, a French sailor and activist previously detained during a 2018 Freedom Flotilla mission.
• Reva Viard, a French humanitarian activist.
• Sergio Toribio, a Spanish activist and member of Sea Shepherd, a marine conservation organization.
• Suayb Ordu, a Turkish activist actively supporting Palestinian causes since 2017.
• Thiago Avila, a Brazilian activist coordinating Freedom Flotilla Brazil and a father of a six-month-old daughter.
• Yanis Mhamdi, a French journalist from the platform Blast.
• Yasemin Acar, a 37-year-old German activist of Kurdish heritage with a long history of advocating for refugee and human rights.

Condemnations and calls for accountability

The Ramallah-based rights group Al-Haq denounced the interception as an “unlawful act” and demanded the immediate release of all detainees.

“Israel’s blockade of Gaza is a violation of international law and the Palestinian people’s rights,” the organization said.

UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who was in contact with the Madleen crew during the incident, criticized Israel’s actions.

“Breaking the siege is a legal duty for states and a moral imperative for all of us,” she wrote, urging international solidarity.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the seizure as “an act of international piracy and state terrorism.” CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad called for global intervention, stating, “Israel has no legal authority to blockade Gaza’s coast, much less attack humanitarian aid ships and abduct their passengers in international waters.”

As international outrage grows, activists and rights groups are pressing for immediate action to hold Israel accountable and ensure the safe release of all detained individuals.