Widespread Condemnation of Israeli Regime’s Maritime Piracy and Attack on Ship “Hanzala
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Al Jazeera via Mehr News Agency, Israeli forces attacked the ship Hanthala at dawn on Saturday during its seventh day at sea. The vessel was launched by the International Committee to Break the Gaza Blockade as part of efforts to end the multiyear siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.
The assault occurred while Hanthala was in international waters. Israeli soldiers warned its crew that if they continued toward Gaza’s coast, they would forcibly seize the ship.
Recent footage broadcast before communication with Hanthala was cut showed Israeli forces confiscating surveillance cameras and then halting live coverage from aboard.
Pro-Palestinian activists onboard issued statements prior to seizure, declaring full readiness for all possible scenarios and affirming their commitment to continue their mission irrespective of outcomes.
The International Committee to Break the Gaza Blockade had previously announced that Palestinian solidarity activists aboard-including European parliamentarians as well as cultural and media figures-would begin an indefinite hunger strike if their vessel were seized.
The committee condemned Israel’s interception of hanthala in international waters outside Palestinian territorial seas near Gaza,labeling it a “clear violation of international maritime laws.”
The Government Details Office in Gaza described this aggression against Hanthala as “another act of maritime piracy,” holding Israel fully responsible for crew safety. It urged immediate and decisive action from both the international community and United Nations against what it called “Israeli aggression.”
The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) strongly condemned Israel’s attack on Hanthala, calling it an “explicit challenge to human will” that exposes “the false nature of the occupying regime.” Hamas held netanyahu’s government responsible for activist security aboard his ship and demanded continued naval convoys until Gaza’s blockade is lifted.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine also denounced this assault sharply, referring to it as yet “another act of piracy,” which adds to a history of attacks against international activists by Israel. The front called on global actors to condemn these actions officially and intensify efforts toward breaking Gaza’s imposed siege.
In a statement, Palestine Mujahideen Movement condemned what they termed “the brutal attack” by Israeli forces against Hanthala within international waters. They held Israel entirely accountable for kidnapping its passengers.The statement said: “The assault unveils this regime’s criminal nature-an aggression targeting every free conscience worldwide. We commend these activists’ courage and call upon all nations’ governments to uphold their responsibilities toward safeguarding their lives.”
“Ann Wright,” member of Freedom Flotilla Coalition leadership aiming at ending gaza’s blockade, stated: “Israel has no legal authority whatsoever over detaining foreign civilians aboard Hanthala.This is not an internal matter but involves foreigners acting under international law in international waters. their detention is arbitrary, illegal, and must cease promptly.”
Hanthala carries 21 activists representing multiple nationalities engaged in renewed efforts aimed at breaking sanctions that have persisted over 17 years against Gaza.
