Christian Aid has condemned the interception by Israeli forces of a boat carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza as another example of Israel's dehumanising treatment of Palestinians.
The Madleen yacht had 12 activists onboard, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, when it was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on its way to Gaza.
William Bell, Head of Middle East Policy & Advocacy at Christian Aid, said: "For Israel to restrict and then deny aid to those in need is immoral, illegal and a sign of the deep dehumanization process in place.
"This ship was a symbol of hope and defiance in the face of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, not only since October 2023, but also for years before. Since March virtually no aid has been allowed into Gaza at all. Starvation in now a reality and the hell that Gaza has become only deepens.
"Since 2007 Israel has imposed a land, sea and air blockade on Gaza and controlled what aid was allowed in and denied the vast majority of the population the chance to move beyond Gaza. A team of international legal experts on degrading treatment and persecution concurred that that closure amounted to the crime of persecution against Palestinians in Gaza."
Christian Aid is calling for all hostages, detainees and those held unlawfully to be released.
ENDS