The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the Israeli Occupation Forces’ (IOF) attack on “Hanzalah” Ship as it sailed towards the coast of the Gaza Strip in an attempt to break the illegal and inhuman siege imposed by IOF and to protest the crimes of genocide and starvation against more than 2 million Palestinians.
According to information collected by PCHR, multiple Israeli naval vessels intercepted the “Hanzalah” ship last night while it was sailing in international waters, approximately 70 nautical miles from its intended destination. This act constitutes a blatant violation of international law and an act of naval piracy. The IOF raided the ship and forcibly towed it along with its crew of 19 international solidarity activists and journalists to Ashdod Seaport. As of this writing, the fate of those on board remains unknown.
“The Hanzalah Ship represents the awakened conscience of the international community. It is a powerful symbol of global solidarity and protest against the illegal siege and the policies of genocide and starvation,” said Raji Sourani, PCHR’s Director.
On 9 June, the IOF carried out a similar attack on the “Madeline” ship while it was sailing in international waters en route to the Gaza Strip. The ship was seized before reaching the coast, and 12 international solidarity activists on board were detained by IOF.
These international solidarity efforts come in the context of the ongoing crime of genocide perpetrated by IOF against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip for more than 21 months. The situation has escalated into an unprecedented starvation, which has so far claimed the lives of over 120 Palestinians, the majority of them children. These efforts take place at a time when states and governments continue to fail in fulfilling their obligations to take immediate measures to stop the genocide and its devastating consequences, in compliance with the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
PCHR reiterates its condemnation of this barbaric attack by the IOF on the international solidarity ship “Hanzalah” and holds the IOF fully responsible for the safety of the international solidarity activists on board. PCHR urgently renews its call on the international community to take immediate action to stop Israel’s ongoing disregard for international law and take serious steps to stop the crime of genocide in Gaza Strip.
