Falastine (TheCOWNews Digital) Hamas has condemned Israel’s recent seizure of the ‘Madleen’, a humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza, as a deliberate act of state terrorism aimed at suppressing international solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The ‘Madleen’, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was intercepted by Israeli naval forces on June 9, 2025, approximately 200 kilometers off the coast of Gaza in international waters. The ship was carrying 12 activists, including prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg and European Parliament member Rima Hassan, along with essential humanitarian supplies such as baby formula, food, and medicine. The Israeli military boarded the vessel, detained the passengers, and towed the ship to the port of Ashdod. Israel justified the action by citing security concerns over potential weapons smuggling to Hamas, which controls Gaza. The detained activists are expected to be deported, and Israeli officials dismissed the mission as a publicity stunt.
Hamas’s Response
In a statement issued shortly after the incident, Hamas described the Israeli interception as “an act of piracy and state terrorism” that underscores Israel’s disregard for international law and its ongoing blockade of Gaza. The group expressed gratitude to the activists aboard the ‘Madleen’ for their courage and commitment to breaking the siege of Gaza. Hamas emphasized that such actions would not silence the global call for Palestinian freedom and justice.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has also condemned the interception, labeling it a violation of international law and an attempt to suppress peaceful efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The coalition has called for the immediate release of the detained activists and the delivery of the humanitarian supplies to Gaza. ft.com
International Reactions
The Israeli action has drawn widespread international condemnation. France, Spain, and Turkey have all issued statements criticizing Israel’s interception of the ‘Madleen’ and calling for the release of the detained activists. The United Nations has also expressed concern over the incident, with the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process urging Israel to respect international law and allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
The seizure of the ‘Madleen’ highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the international community’s efforts to address it. While Israel maintains that its actions are necessary for security reasons, critics argue that the blockade constitutes collective punishment and exacerbates the suffering of Gaza’s civilian population. The incident underscores the need for renewed international efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.
