Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a firm stance against the “Madleen,” an aid vessel carrying activist Greta Thunberg and others, aiming to breach Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza. The ship, which departed from Sicily, is intended to deliver humanitarian aid and raise awareness of the crisis in Gaza. As of Sunday, it was reported to be about 160 nautical miles from Gaza, near Egypt’s Rosetta. Katz has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to “prevent” the vessel from reaching Gaza, labeling it a “hate flotilla” and urging the crew to turn back. He emphasized that Israel would act against any attempts to support terrorist organizations.
On board are notable figures, including actor Liam Cunningham and MEP Rima Hassan, who has been barred from entering Israel due to her anti-Israeli military stance. Thunberg expressed her commitment to the mission, stating, “The moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity,” highlighting the critical situation in Gaza. Israel, however, has rejected accusations of genocide and maintains that its blockade aims to pressurize Hamas for the release of hostages taken during recent attacks.
Since mid-May, Israel has allowed basic aid into Gaza but only after previous restrictions. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the U.S. and Israel, has faced criticism due to reports of violence during aid distribution, raising concerns over a potential famine in the region. Additionally, previous attempts to deliver aid via flotillas have faced violent reprisals, heightening the tension surrounding Gaza’s humanitarian plight.
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