A Gaza-bound ship, carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and others, was intercepted by the Israeli commandos off the coast and was diverted to Israel.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry made the announced the seizure of the ‘Madleen’ ship off the coast of Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) launched this ship to deliver essential humanitarian aid to the starving Palestinian people.
Besides Thunberg, other people on the Madleen include ‘Game of Thrones’ actor Liam Cunningham and a French member of the European Parliament, Rima Hassan.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had dispatched a warning to the crew claiming that they would not let any aid yacht enter Gaza, and advised them to turn back.
He posted on X, saying, “To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I clearly say: You should turn back - because you will not reach Gaza.”
He further confirmed that Israel would counter any attempt to breach the existing blockade, whether through land, air or sea.
A video of the crew members after the seizure has surfaced, showing the members urging their respective governments to pressure Israel for their release and to supply aid to the Palestinian people.
The 12-member crew comes from multiple countries around the world, each member calling on their respective governments to demand their safety and well-being.
The FFC has further argued that the sea blockage is a violation of Maritime Law and that the Defence Minister’s statement is evidence of “Israel threatening the unlawful use of force against civilians” and “attempting to justify that violence with smears.”
FFC Press Officer Hay Sha Wiya also highlighted that the boats, radio, and communication were jammed before the assault, resulting in its location being read near Jordan.
Following a three-month land blockade, Israel has only recently permitted the distribution of limited aid supplies through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation; the endeavour is facing extensive backlash due to Israeli control, resulting in a series of attacks on aid hubs and workers.
Nearly 55,000 people have been killed since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, and the survivors now face unprecedented famine and violence; an attack on the second day of Eid al-Adha killed 75 people in a day.
Social media campaigns calling for the immediate release of the 12 international activists have spread worldwide, commanding all attention to Madleen and the well-being of its crew.
