Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter
The Embassy of the State of Palestine in Zimbabwe has condemned what it described as a blatant act of maritime piracy following the interception of a humanitarian aid vessel, Madaleen, en route to Gaza over the weekend. The ship, which carried 12 international volunteers—including renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan—was reportedly seized in international waters.
In a statement issued on Monday, Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Tame Almassri labeled the interception by Israeli forces as “state-sponsored terrorism” and a gross violation of international law.
“This heinous act by the Israeli genocidal state is a clear manifestation of maritime piracy. The international community must not remain complicit through silence,” said Almassri.
The Madaleen was part of a global solidarity mission attempting to break Israel’s long-standing blockade on Gaza and deliver critical aid to civilians caught in what Palestinian authorities have called a humanitarian catastrophe. Almassri noted that all communication with the vessel and its passengers has been lost since the seizure, sparking fears for their safety and wellbeing.
According to the ambassador, the mission carried not only essential supplies but also a powerful message of solidarity with Palestinians suffering under siege. “The activists on board were courageously attempting to deliver essential aid to Palestinians trapped under siege in Gaza,” he said.
The blockade, now in its 18th year, has intensified dramatically since October 2023 amidst a brutal Israeli military offensive. Palestinian sources estimate that over 54,880 people—most of them women and children—have been killed, while more than 126,000 have been injured.
Almassri accused Israel of turning humanitarian aid into a weapon of war. “Sites meant for distributing life-saving assistance have become mass slaughterhouses. At least 115 civilians have been killed while trying to access aid, and over 1,110 have been injured,” he said.
He also warned that Israel's actions are stripping Gaza of its last remaining lifelines, with aid organizations reporting severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and basic supplies.
The Palestinian embassy emphasized the symbolic importance of the Madaleen’s journey, highlighting the courage of the international volunteers who joined the mission despite personal risks. The capture of public figures like Thunberg and Hassan has also escalated the diplomatic significance of the incident.
Palestinian officials are now appealing for urgent international intervention, demanding the immediate release of the detained activists and an end to Israel’s military blockade and operations in Gaza.
“The world must not look away. It is time for concrete action, not just condemnation. The blockade must end. The war must end. And those responsible for these crimes against humanity must be held accountable,” Almassri said.
Israeli authorities have not yet issued a formal statement on the incident. Meanwhile, several human rights groups are calling for an independent investigation into the ship’s seizure and the broader implications for international maritime law and humanitarian access.
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