The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has fiercely condemned the Israeli regime’s violent seizure of the Madleen, a humanitarian aid ship headed to the besieged Gaza Strip, calling the incident a blatant act of piracy and state terrorism.

The ship, part of a peaceful solidarity mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was stormed by Israeli occupation forces in international waters early Monday as it neared the shores of Gaza. Its crew of international volunteers—including prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg—was forcibly detained and the vessel diverted to the occupied port of Ashdod.

In a statement, Hamas said: “We condemn in the strongest terms this Zionist act of piracy against a humanitarian mission. This is a violent attempt to silence the global conscience and prevent desperately needed aid from reaching a population facing genocide under Israel’s illegal siege.”

The Madleen was carrying essential supplies—baby formula, rice, flour, desalination kits, medical equipment, and prosthetics for injured children—symbolic and life-saving aid for Gaza’s civilians, who continue to suffer under Israel’s ongoing blockade, bombardment, and deliberate starvation tactics.

As the attack took place, Greta Thunberg recorded an urgent message released by the FFC, stating: “We have been kidnapped by the Israeli military for trying to deliver humanitarian aid. I urge everyone to pressure the Swedish government to act now.”

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who was in contact with the activists as the assault happened, joined the global outcry, declaring: “Madleen must be released immediately. Breaking the siege is not only a moral imperative—it is a legal duty of states under international law.”

She urged ports across the Mediterranean to launch solidarity missions to Gaza, saying: “They shall sail together—united, they will be unstoppable.”

This is not the first time the Israeli regime has targeted peaceful humanitarian missions. Just weeks ago, Israeli drones attacked the Conscience, another FFC vessel, in international waters near Malta. These repeated assaults underscore Israel’s deep fear of international solidarity—and its willingness to violate all norms of law and humanity to enforce the illegal siege on Gaza.

Hamas praised the Madleen crew for their courage, calling them “the living voice of the world’s conscience.”

“Their resolve shows that Gaza is not alone. It remains embraced by freedom-loving people across the globe who refuse to stand by while genocide unfolds.”

The resistance movement demanded the immediate release of the abducted activists and held Israel fully responsible for their safety and well-being. Hamas also called on the United Nations and the international community to stop hiding behind neutrality and take meaningful action to end the blockade and hold Israel accountable for its crimes.

As Gaza teeters on the brink of famine—with over 2 million Palestinians enduring siege, starvation, and bombardment—this latest attack on aid workers reaffirms the urgency of international resistance to Israeli apartheid, occupation, and genocide. (ILKHA)