Israeli Forces Intercept Freedom Flotilla Carrying Greta Thunberg Bound for Gaza
The British-flagged yacht Madleen was detained while attempting to deliver symbolic aid amid ongoing regional tensions.
Israeli forces intercepted the British-flagged yacht Madleen early on Monday morning, detaining Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and approximately a dozen others who were attempting to violate Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.
The vessel is part of the anti-Zionist ‘Freedom Flotilla Coalition,’ which set sail from Sicily on June 1, with the intention of delivering symbolic humanitarian aid, including rice, baby formula, and medical supplies, to Gaza amidst significant shortages of essential goods due to ongoing restrictions.
In a statement on social media, the Israeli foreign ministry referred to the yacht as the "‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’," highlighting its perceived intent for publicity.
The ministry indicated that the detained individuals were being provided with basic necessities such as sandwiches and water, and they are expected to be returned to their countries of origin.
It further remarked that the limited aid aboard the Madleen would be funneled through established humanitarian channels to reach Gaza.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had previously announced plans to prevent the boat from reaching its destination and praised the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) for their swift action.
He mentioned that the IDF was instructed to show the passengers a video of the Hamas attacks from October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, triggering the current conflict in the region.
After the interception, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition claimed that its passengers had been "kidnapped" by Israeli forces and urged their supporters to pressure their respective governments for their safe release.
Thunberg also delivered a pre-recorded message appealing for assistance from her friends and family, emphasizing the detainment of herself and the others.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, called for the immediate release of the crew members of the Madleen.
Albanese had previously been declared persona non grata by Israel after making contentious remarks regarding the October 7 attacks and their underlying causes.
As of Sunday, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported that the number of fatalities in the ongoing war has reached 54,880, with the majority identified as civilians.
These figures are deemed credible by the UN, although Israel contests these estimates.
The ongoing Israeli blockade is reported to leave hundreds of thousands of Palestinians at risk of starvation, based on statements from UN officials.
A spokesperson for the European Commission expressed awareness of the reports concerning the yacht's interception, emphasizing that the responsibility for consular protection lies with the nations of the detained individuals.
Additionally, the EU reiterated calls for the immediate and sustained resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, aligned with humanitarian principles, and advocated for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
In a collective statement released later in the day, progressive factions within the European Parliament urged the Israeli government to release the captured crew.
Their joint statement acknowledged the necessity for humanitarian aid delivery through secure channels but criticized the civil initiative as indicative of the international community's failure, including the European Union, to provide adequate access to life-saving assistance for over two million individuals in Gaza.
It called for heightened efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The vessel is part of the anti-Zionist ‘Freedom Flotilla Coalition,’ which set sail from Sicily on June 1, with the intention of delivering symbolic humanitarian aid, including rice, baby formula, and medical supplies, to Gaza amidst significant shortages of essential goods due to ongoing restrictions.
In a statement on social media, the Israeli foreign ministry referred to the yacht as the "‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’," highlighting its perceived intent for publicity.
The ministry indicated that the detained individuals were being provided with basic necessities such as sandwiches and water, and they are expected to be returned to their countries of origin.
It further remarked that the limited aid aboard the Madleen would be funneled through established humanitarian channels to reach Gaza.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had previously announced plans to prevent the boat from reaching its destination and praised the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) for their swift action.
He mentioned that the IDF was instructed to show the passengers a video of the Hamas attacks from October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, triggering the current conflict in the region.
After the interception, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition claimed that its passengers had been "kidnapped" by Israeli forces and urged their supporters to pressure their respective governments for their safe release.
Thunberg also delivered a pre-recorded message appealing for assistance from her friends and family, emphasizing the detainment of herself and the others.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, called for the immediate release of the crew members of the Madleen.
Albanese had previously been declared persona non grata by Israel after making contentious remarks regarding the October 7 attacks and their underlying causes.
As of Sunday, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported that the number of fatalities in the ongoing war has reached 54,880, with the majority identified as civilians.
These figures are deemed credible by the UN, although Israel contests these estimates.
The ongoing Israeli blockade is reported to leave hundreds of thousands of Palestinians at risk of starvation, based on statements from UN officials.
A spokesperson for the European Commission expressed awareness of the reports concerning the yacht's interception, emphasizing that the responsibility for consular protection lies with the nations of the detained individuals.
Additionally, the EU reiterated calls for the immediate and sustained resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, aligned with humanitarian principles, and advocated for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
In a collective statement released later in the day, progressive factions within the European Parliament urged the Israeli government to release the captured crew.
Their joint statement acknowledged the necessity for humanitarian aid delivery through secure channels but criticized the civil initiative as indicative of the international community's failure, including the European Union, to provide adequate access to life-saving assistance for over two million individuals in Gaza.
It called for heightened efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
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