Activists Blocked by Israeli Army on Humanitarian Aid Mission to Gaza
After several days at sea aboard the Madleen, a sailing ship carrying humanitarian aid for the people of the Gaza Strip, climate activist Greta Thunberg and other members of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition faced a significant setback when they were intercepted by the Israeli navy just before reaching their destination. Early on Monday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that the ship was being towed to the Israeli coast, with all passengers slated to return to their home countries.
The Israeli military's intervention has drawn sharp criticism from the activists, who were making the journey to draw attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where around two million people are living under difficult conditions. Despite their objections, the Israeli Foreign Ministry released a statement referring to the ship pejoratively as the 'selfie yacht,' emphasizing that the activists were unharmed and had been provided with water and sandwiches.
The situation escalated as the Freedom Flotilla Coalition conveyed reports on social media of alleged boarding by Israeli soldiers, claiming the crew had been abducted. They described how drones were observed circling the ship, reportedly spraying it with an unknown substance and disrupting radio communications.
Greta Thunberg, who embarked on her voyage from Sicily over a week ago, aimed to deliver essential supplies, including baby food and medical items. The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, had previously expressed firm opposition to the mission, making it clear that Israel would not allow any breach of its naval blockade on Gaza.
In a pointed statement, Katz referred to the activists, labeling Thunberg and her companions as 'Hamas propagandists' and urged them to turn back from their mission. He reiterated that Israel has routinely denied permission for previous attempts by activists to land aid in Gaza, heightening tensions surrounding such endeavors.
Despite the interruption, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition remains defiant, vowing to continue their efforts in bringing aid to Gaza, with promises to 'set sail once more' in their fight against the blockade. Their determination accentuates the ongoing struggle for humanitarian support in a region deeply affected by conflict and political strife.
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