Civilian vessel Madleen is illegally intercepted by Israel, Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported.

“Quadcopters are surrounding the ship, spraying it with a white paint-like substance,” said FFC press officer Hay Sha Wiya. “Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio.”

Prior to this, Israel has initially threatened to seize the ship and deport the activists of the civilian mission.

Madleen carries life-saving humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. Military operations against civilians are prohibited under the international humanitarian law, which Israel, has repeatedly and blatantly violated.

Eleven activists and a journalist have been illegally arrested by Israeli military. “Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,” said Huwaida Arraf, human rights lawyer and Freedom Flotilla organizer.

“This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalized for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately,” Arraf added.

Last year, International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to take action to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza and provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians under Article 2 of the 1948 Genocide Convention. Despite the ruling, Israel continues to block significant amount of aid.

The FFC called on governments to fulfill their obligations under international law and put pressure to the Israel to end its genocide against the Palestinian people. | via Dominic Gutoman/Bulatlat