Israel Orders Military to Intercept Gaza-Bound Yacht Carrying Activists
The Madleen, carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and other international nationals, is set to be stopped by Israeli forces while attempting to breach the Gaza blockade.
The Israeli government has directed its military to prevent a yacht named Madleen, which is carrying Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other international nationals, from entering the Gaza Strip.
Defence Minister Israel Katz issued this order on Sunday, indicating that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would intervene to stop the vessel, labeled by Katz as a platform for 'Hamas propaganda'.
He emphasized, 'Turn back because you will not reach Gaza,' stating that Israel is committed to enforcing a naval blockade of Gaza.
This blockade is intended to thwart the potential delivery of weapons to Hamas, which Israel designates as a terrorist organization responsible for committing war crimes and holding hostages.
The Madleen is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and departed from Italy on June 1, with the mission of providing humanitarian aid and contesting the longstanding Israeli blockade that has been in place since prior to the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas beginning in October 2023. As of Saturday, organizers reported that the vessel had entered Egyptian territorial waters and was approaching Gaza, a region that has been engulfed in conflict for more than 20 months.
Aboard the yacht are citizens from several countries, including Germany, France, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Among the passengers is French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, who stated that over 200 MEPs had signed an open letter urging Israeli authorities to allow the Madleen to reach Gaza and permit its humanitarian cargo to be delivered.
Hassan conveyed that the activists would remain vigilant and mobilized, expressing concern over potential disruptions to communications.
In a statement shared on social media, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition indicated that they anticipate 'interception and an attack from Israel at any moment' and have called upon the respective governments of the individuals aboard to ensure their protection.
The current Gaza conflict escalated following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant casualties.
According to an official tally, the attack led to the deaths of 1,218 individuals in Israel, predominantly civilians.
Conversely, on Sunday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip reported that the death toll from the ongoing war has reached 54,880, with most casualties also being civilians.
The United Nations regards these figures as credible, although Israel does not concur with them.
Defence Minister Israel Katz issued this order on Sunday, indicating that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would intervene to stop the vessel, labeled by Katz as a platform for 'Hamas propaganda'.
He emphasized, 'Turn back because you will not reach Gaza,' stating that Israel is committed to enforcing a naval blockade of Gaza.
This blockade is intended to thwart the potential delivery of weapons to Hamas, which Israel designates as a terrorist organization responsible for committing war crimes and holding hostages.
The Madleen is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and departed from Italy on June 1, with the mission of providing humanitarian aid and contesting the longstanding Israeli blockade that has been in place since prior to the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas beginning in October 2023. As of Saturday, organizers reported that the vessel had entered Egyptian territorial waters and was approaching Gaza, a region that has been engulfed in conflict for more than 20 months.
Aboard the yacht are citizens from several countries, including Germany, France, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Among the passengers is French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, who stated that over 200 MEPs had signed an open letter urging Israeli authorities to allow the Madleen to reach Gaza and permit its humanitarian cargo to be delivered.
Hassan conveyed that the activists would remain vigilant and mobilized, expressing concern over potential disruptions to communications.
In a statement shared on social media, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition indicated that they anticipate 'interception and an attack from Israel at any moment' and have called upon the respective governments of the individuals aboard to ensure their protection.
The current Gaza conflict escalated following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant casualties.
According to an official tally, the attack led to the deaths of 1,218 individuals in Israel, predominantly civilians.
Conversely, on Sunday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip reported that the death toll from the ongoing war has reached 54,880, with most casualties also being civilians.
The United Nations regards these figures as credible, although Israel does not concur with them.
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