The Madleen, a humanitarian aid ship launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, has arrived at Israel’s Ashdod port after being seized by Israeli commandos in international waters.
The vessel was intercepted around 185km (100 nautical miles) from Gaza while en route with emergency supplies for Palestinians suffering under a prolonged blockade.
The ship was flying a United Kingdom flag and was carrying aid meant for Gaza, where residents have faced severe shortages due to an Israeli siege imposed since March 2.
Though the blockade was partially eased last month under international pressure, the humanitarian situation remains dire.
Casualties mount amid blockade
According to reports, the war has claimed the lives of at least 54,927 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has maintained a land, sea, and air blockade of the strip since 2007, effectively limiting access to aid and essential supplies.
The Madleen departed Sicily on June 1, only weeks after another Gaza-bound aid vessel was bombed by Israeli drones. Among the 12 international activists now detained by Israeli authorities is climate activist Greta Thunberg.
No contact with detainees after capture
Freedom Flotilla organisers say they have not been able to establish contact with the 12 activists for nearly 19 hours since their detention.
“We have lawyers on standby who are going to demand they have access to them tonight – as soon as possible,” said Huwaida Arraf, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement and a Freedom Flotilla organiser.
Seizure called unlawful under international law
The activists were sailing peacefully under international law when they were captured by Israeli commandos.
“These citizens were sailing peacefully under international law, in international waters, and Israel went and forcibly abducted them,” Arraf told Al Jazeera. “This was done, as Israel puts it, to ‘maintain a maritime closure of Gaza’ – which it has no authority to do.”
UK government criticised for silence
Arraf also condemned the UK government’s response, or lack thereof, regarding the seizure of a UK-flagged vessel.
She urged states to hold Israel accountable for what she described as an unlawful act in breach of maritime and humanitarian law.
The 12 activists remain in Israeli custody and are expected to be deported.
