The Palestinian-Swedish Center Condemns the Israeli Occupation's Seizure of the Ship 'Hanzala'

SadaNews - The Palestinian-Swedish Center strongly condemned the Israeli piracy operation that targeted the ship "Hanzala", loaded with symbolic humanitarian aid, during its attempt to break the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.

The center stated in an official statement that the incident represents a "gross violation of international law", especially since the ship was a civilian vessel carrying peaceful activists, including journalists, doctors, lawyers, and volunteer medical staff.

The statement described the assault as a "criminal act", aimed at undermining international humanitarian solidarity efforts, especially since the ship was carrying medicines, food, and supplies for children, in an attempt to symbolize solidarity with the besieged Palestinian people in Gaza.

The center clarified that the ship embarked on a humanitarian mission and was forcibly intercepted despite the organizers' declaration of their full respect for international laws.

The head of the Palestinian-Swedish Center, Mr. Ahmad Suleiman, expressed his complete condemnation of the military seizure of the peaceful civilian ship, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those on board. He urged the international community to urgently intervene and condemn the actions of the Israeli occupation, considering it a blatant violation of the freedom of navigation and humanitarian work.

He called on the United Nations, the Security Council, and human rights organizations to initiate an urgent and independent investigation and demanded that the European Union and the Kingdom of Sweden assume their legal and humanitarian responsibilities towards their citizens and exert pressure on the occupation to stop these violations.

He pointed out that the ship "Hanzala" was operating within a civil and peaceful framework and was carrying volunteers and human rights activists, noting that the use of force against them constitutes "an international crime against humanitarian work."