Humanitarian Ship Attacked, Gaza Blockade Condemned as ‘Genocide’
International Coalition Accuses Israel of Escalating Crisis
A UK-flagged humanitarian vessel, the ‘Madleen’, was intercepted and its crew detained by Israeli forces, sparking outrage from international human rights groups who decry the action as a deliberate escalation of the ongoing crisis in Gaza and a potential act of genocide. The incident underscores the desperate need for aid access.
Ship Intercepted, Crew Detained
The Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD-IC) and allied organizations strongly condemned the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) for ramming and boarding the ‘Madleen’, detaining those on board. They view this as a continuation of what they describe as a genocidal campaign, citing the continued obstruction of humanitarian aid and the induced starvation of civilians in Gaza.
According to the UN, approximately 37% of Gaza’s population—over 800,000 people—are now facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, a six-fold increase since May (UN News, June 2024).
“The attack on the Madleen is de-facto a threat to the international community to stay silently complicit in the genocide of the Palestinian people.”
—Freedom Flotilla Coalition
Legacy of Resistance and International Law
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) emphasized that the ‘Madleen’s’ mission was part of a long history of humanitarian efforts to break the siege of Gaza. The ship was operating in international waters, and the IOF has no legal jurisdiction over its route. This incident echoes the 2010 Freedom Flotilla, during which Israeli forces killed and injured humanitarians in international waters.
Amnesty International has also condemned the interception and detention of the crew, stating it violates international law. The WHRD-IC asserts that these attacks are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a premeditated act of occupation and state violence.
🚨URGENT: Israeli forces have boarded the Freedom Flotilla ship, the #Madleen, in international waters! They are detaining the crew. This is a brazen attack on humanitarian aid and a violation of international law. https://t.co/q9q9q9q9q9
—Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@FreedomFlotilla) June 9, 2025
Demands for Accountability and Action
The WHRD-IC and signatory organizations are calling for an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza, the unconditional release of the eight detained FFC activists, and the release of the 10,400 Palestinian political prisoners held in Israeli jails. They urge governments to hold Israeli war criminals accountable, halt arms exports to Israel, and uphold their obligations under the Genocide Convention.
The coalition also calls on the United Nations and human rights bodies to closely monitor the situation and ensure accountability for violations of international law. They emphasize the importance of feminist movements globally amplifying the Palestinian struggle and exposing the violence of occupation.
Nelson Mandela famously stated, “Our freedom is incomplete as long as the freedom of Palestinians is delayed.” This sentiment underscores the interconnectedness of liberation movements worldwide.
The groups are urging individuals to continue protesting, lobbying, and pressuring states to uphold international agreements. They also highlight the ongoing ‘Caravane Al-Soumoud’ land convoy attempting to reach Gaza and call for its safe passage.
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Signatories include Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRDIC), Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, The Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa (WHRDMENA), Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), and others.