PHM’s Hanne Bosselaers and Aziz Rhali are free: the struggle continues for health rights in Gaza

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition posted the first images of Hanne Bosselaers and Aziz Rhali on its YouTube channel after their release and arrival in Istanbul, Turkey, following their illegal detention while aboard the humanitarian flotilla attempting to bring humanitarian aid and assistance to the victims of the war in Gaza.

“We are returning, not to sit around, but to prepare for the next time. This time we were close, but we promise you that next time we will reach the shore. We also salute our people in Gaza who have gone on hunger strike in solidarity with us. We want to tell them that we will come. If we don't come today, we will come tomorrow, but we will definitely come. come to Gaza. Greetings to Palestine.” Said  Aziz Rhali in freedom.

On October 1st, 2025, following the unlawful interception by Israeli military forces of the “Deir Yassin” vessel, Aziz Rhalli was abducted together with other 23 crew members on board the ship, one of the Global Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. 

Aziz Rhali is a Moroccan health‑rights advocate, a member of the People’s Health Movement, and former president of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH). He has held leadership positions in numerous human‑rights and development bodies, including the Coalition for Health in Morocco, the World Social Forum on Health and Social Protection, and the Arab Network of NGOs for Development (ANND). His activism includes participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza.

“I was with the ‘Conscience’, I’m coming back home. But there are 11.000 Palestinian prisoners still there and we were on a humanitarian mission to bring aid to the population of Gaza. All countries should protect us. We were kidnapped in international waters illegally and no one is reacting. So I'm very disappointed with my Belgian government and I asked them to run up. Okay, there is a ceasefire but there is still a siege. People are still starving and no humanitarian aid is entering. So as a doctor, I want to go to Gaza. I want to have free access and help my colleagues there and I want Palestine to be completely free.” Stated Hanne Bosselaers at her arrival in Istanbul.

Dr. Hanne Bosselaers was abducted with 91 other Health Workers and Journalists on board the “Conscience” Besieged by Israel’s Military on international waters. On October 8, 2025, 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 were illegally detained.

When abducted Dr. Hanne Bosselaers released this statement:

“Dear friends,
Thank you all for being here today. I know that you are choosing the side of humanity, of hope.
I was aboard a ship bound for Gaza called Conscience, with a group of 92 people from 22 countries—journalists, humanitarian workers, and a remarkable crew. We were going to Gaza to break the humanitarian blockade.
We boarded because our colleagues in Gaza are being targeted by Israel, which is committing genocide. More than 250 journalists and 1,500 humanitarian workers have been killed since October 7. As you well know, the destruction and suffocating blockade are causing widespread hunger, lack of water, healthcare, and housing. The Israeli government is depriving Gaza of the right to life.
Israel is guilty of genocide and war crimes. This is not a mere statement open to interpretation. “Business as usual” is not an option. Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and the Belgian government is doing nothing serious to stop it.
At a time like this, we have no choice: we hear the call of our colleagues in Palestine and we rise up. We are doing what these complicit leaders, institutions, and companies should be doing.
And we are not alone. Palestine is our beating heart, bringing together all the forces for a new human world.
I had the chance to sail to Gaza alongside a group of people who carry within them a fragment of this new world: caring for one another, standing up against injustice and violence, fighting for freedom. Rest assured, the waves of solidarity will continue to break until Palestine is free.
Palestine is our beating heart, our moral compass. I am counting on you to stay in the streets and fight against all forms of complicity. We have a world to win.”

Spanish activist Rigo Reyes remains detained. We Call for her immediate and unconditional release