London – 9 June 2025
The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) strongly condemns the Israeli occupation forces’ interception and seizure of the humanitarian boat Madleen in international waters during a peaceful mission aimed at breaking the illegal blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. The Centre considers this attack a dangerous escalation against international solidarity efforts and a continuation of Israel’s longstanding policy of violently suppressing humanitarian initiatives.

The Madleen carried political figures and civil society activists, including world-renowned environmental activist Greta Thunberg and European Parliament Member Rima Hassan. The boat was loaded with symbolic humanitarian supplies—baby formula, flour, prosthetic limbs, medical equipment, and hygiene products—all of which were purely civilian in nature and posed no threat, but rather reflected a basic human duty of compassion and solidarity.

The mission carried out by those on board the Madleen was fully legal and protected under international humanitarian law. On 28 April 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued binding orders obliging Israel to “take all measures within its power to ensure the provision of basic humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza,” including food, water, medicine, and fuel. Nevertheless, Israel has continued to defy these orders and escalated its obstruction by intercepting a civilian vessel in international waters—a blatant violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

This incident comes amid an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. International organisations, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, have documented the deaths of dozens of children due to starvation and lack of medical care. More than half of Gaza’s population now faces the real threat of famine. This crisis is a direct result of Israel’s deliberate policy of collective starvation, in grave violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and ICJ rulings.

The Palestinian Return Centre affirms that the seizure of the "Madleen" is not an isolated incident, but part of a systematic campaign to suppress any international movement seeking to expose the crimes of the blockade and collective punishment. Israel has not only starved civilians and targeted unarmed Palestinians waiting in line for illusory aid, but has also expanded its repressive practices to include international solidarity activists across the globe and at sea — in a calculated attempt to isolate Gaza from the world and intimidate any humanitarian or legal effort aimed at breaking the siege.

The Centre also recalls the deadly Israeli assault on the Mavi Marmara ship in 2010, during which ten Turkish activists were killed in international waters. The absence of international accountability in that case has emboldened Israel to repeat such violations today against unarmed civilian activists.

In light of these violations, the Palestinian Return Centre calls for:

PRC stresses that these repressive policies will not deter the growing international solidarity movement with the Palestinian people. Rather, they will only strengthen global resolve to expose Israeli violations, demand accountability, and reinforce international presence and action against the siege and occupation.