Israeli naval officers intercepted and forcefully boarded the Madleen ship sailing in international waters to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition on Sunday (June 8).
“This is yet another blatant violation of international law and a cruel blow to those suffering in Gaza,” Sugiono stated on his X handle @Menlu_RI on Tuesday.
The foreign minister stated that Israel’s land and maritime blockade of Gaza constitutes collective punishment and increases the risk of humanitarian disasters, including mass starvation.
Under international laws and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) orders, Israel must ensure unimpeded aid delivery to Gaza and protect humanitarian workers there.
While welcoming international efforts to open the maritime corridor, the minister emphasized that these "must not come at the expense of securing land-based humanitarian access, which remains Gaza’s most urgent lifeline.”
As he had reiterated in various international fora, Sugiono emphasized that opening all humanitarian access routes to Gaza is an absolute necessity. He also pledged to underscore the issue again at the upcoming High-Level Conference on Palestine in New York.
“I urge the international community – especially the UN Security Council – to act decisively to protect civilians, adopt a resolution that ends the blockade, and guarantee sustained humanitarian access,” the foreign minister stressed.
According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Madleen ship carries urgently needed aid for the Palestinian people in Gaza, including formula milk, flour, rice, diapers, water desalination equipment, as well as medical supplies and prosthetics.
The 12 people on board comprise multinational activists and a journalist. Among them are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, and Al-Jazeera Mubasher journalist Omar Faiad.
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Reporter: Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Primayanti
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