
Hamas condemns Israel's seizure of activist boat, calls it 'piracy'
Hamas condemned Israel's seizure of Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen as "state terrorism" and said it salutes its activists.
"We strongly condemn the act of piracy committed by the Israeli occupation forces by intercepting the Madaleen solidarity ship in international waters as this is an act of state-sponsored terrorism," Hamas said.
"We salute the activists of different nationalities who affirmed that Gaza is not alone. The Madaleen and upcoming land convoys from Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, and elsewhere are living proof of the failure of Zionist propaganda."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
an hour ago
- The National
Argentina's embassy to move to Jerusalem in 2026, President says
Javier Milei, who made the announcement in the Knesset, has been supportive of Israel amid the war in Gaza and votes in its favour at the UN


The National
2 hours ago
- The National
US discourages world leaders from taking part in Saudi-French UN conference on Palestinian statehood
US President Donald Trump 's administration is actively discouraging world leaders from taking part in a Saudi-French conference on Palestinian statehood scheduled for next week at the UN. 'This conference would be counterproductive and we will encourage others not to participate,' a State Department representative told The National. French officials have said President Emmanuel Macron is leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state before the UN conference that France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting from June 17 to 20. The goal of the conference is to establish the foundations for a plan towards a Palestinian state, with guarantees for Israel's security. Mr Macron, who is expected to attend the event, has said he is determined to recognise a Palestinian state, but also set out several conditions, including the 'demilitarisation' of Hamas. According to Reuters, the US warned countries in a memo that taking 'anti-Israel actions' after the conference could be seen as opposing Washington's foreign policy interests and may lead to diplomatic repercussions. 'The United States opposes any steps that would unilaterally recognise a conjectural Palestinian state, which adds significant legal and political obstacles to the eventual resolution of the conflict and could coerce Israel during a war, thereby supporting its enemies,' the memo read. Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway imposed sanctions on Tuesday on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The two ministers are settlers. 'The United States opposes the implied support of the conference for potential actions including boycotts and sanctions on Israel, as well as other punitive measures,' the memo read. Israel has repeatedly denounced the conference, saying it rewards Hamas for the October 7 attack that started the Gaza war, and has pressed France not to recognise a Palestinian state.


The National
2 hours ago
- The National
US discourages world leaders from Saudi-French UN conference on Palestinian statehood
US President Donald Trump 's administration is actively discouraging world leaders from taking part in a Saudi-French conference on Palestinian statehood scheduled for next week at the UN. 'This conference would be counterproductive and we will encourage others not to participate,' a State Department representative told The National. French officials have said President Emmanuel Macron is leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state before the UN conference that France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting from June 17 to 20. The goal of the conference is to establish the foundations for a plan towards a Palestinian state, with guarantees for Israel's security. Mr Macron, who is expected to attend the event, has said he is determined to recognise a Palestinian state, but also set out several conditions, including the 'demilitarisation' of Hamas. According to Reuters, the US warned countries in a memo that taking 'anti-Israel actions' after the conference could be seen as opposing Washington's foreign policy interests and may lead to diplomatic repercussions. 'The United States opposes any steps that would unilaterally recognise a conjectural Palestinian state, which adds significant legal and political obstacles to the eventual resolution of the conflict and could coerce Israel during a war, thereby supporting its enemies,' the memo read. Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway imposed sanctions on Tuesday on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The two ministers are settlers. 'The United States opposes the implied support of the conference for potential actions including boycotts and sanctions on Israel, as well as other punitive measures,' the memo read. Israel has repeatedly denounced the conference, saying it rewards Hamas for the October 7 attack that started the Gaza war, and has pressed France not to recognise a Palestinian state.