ISRAEL ACCUSED OF PIRACY AFTER INTERCEPTING GAZA-BOUND HUMANITARIAN SHIP

A major diplomatic dispute has erupted after Israeli naval forces intercepted the “Madleen,” a UK-flagged yacht carrying humanitarian supplies and international activists headed for Gaza. Among the 12 people detained on board was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, drawing global attention to the incident.
The vessel was intercepted in international waters near the eastern Mediterranean. According to Israel’s military, the interception was necessary due to concerns the ship was attempting to breach the naval blockade on Gaza, which Israel maintains is a security measure against Hamas.
Human rights organizations and legal experts, however, have condemned the move as an act of piracy under international law. Lawyers representing the detained activists have stated the vessel was unarmed and fully declared its intentions, carrying medical aid and basic supplies.
The governments of the UK, Sweden, and several EU member states have formally requested the immediate release of the detainees and a full explanation. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has demanded an investigation into the legality of Israel’s actions.
The move has inflamed tensions across the region and drawn new scrutiny to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which humanitarian groups say amounts to collective punishment of over two million people.