PHM’s Dr. Hanne Bosselaers abducted with other 91 Health Workers and Journalists on board the “Conscience” Besieged by Israel’s Military on international waters
At 3:30 a.m. (local time), the ship the “Conscience” was attacked by Israeli troops who intercepted it with a helicopter and several assault boats while it was in international waters and heading for the Gaza coast to break the blockade and bring humanitarian aid to the victims of the war. Dr. Hanne Bosselaers, a Belgian national and member of the People’s Health Movement (PHM), Medicine for the People Belgium, is one of the activists, along with 91 other crew members, mostly health workers and journalists, who have been illegally detained.
With the sound of the alarm, the following is heard over the ship's loudspeakers: “Everybody, everybody, to the bridge, everybody, everybody to the master’s station now! The Israelis are here. Everybody, everybody to the master's station, all crew!”. The attack on the Vessel while in international waters is a violation of maritime international law.
“The ‘Conscience’ was attacked by Israeli military drones earlier this year in European waters. Now in international waters, our vessel carries 92 people of conscience, mostly medical and media professionals. Our vessel is currently being attacked by an Israeli military helicopter while the 8 sailboats are being illegally intercepted and hijacked” says the Gaza Freedom Flotilla post on its Instagram feed.
The seized ship the “Conscience” was transported to the port of Ashdod. There are no reports on the situation of the detainees nor from the diplomatic representation from the various nationalities of the captives who were on board the vessel.
The mission of the humanitarian flotilla is to bring humanitarian aid, water, baby formula, basic medical supplies, and medical assistance to the Palestinian civilian population affected by the war.
The PHM urgently demands for the release of those held captive by the Israeli government, for their rights to be guaranteed, and for their immediate and unconditional release. The PHM demands information on the whereabouts, medical condition of Belgian Medical Doctor Hanne Bosselaers.
We also call on the international community and social movements to demand the release of the hostage activists, a ceasefire, the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid, and access for the independent international press.
