Tel Aviv: Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has vowed to prevent an aid boat carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and other international campaigners from reaching the Gaza Strip. The vessel, named 'Madleen' and operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail from Sicily last Sunday with the goal of breaching Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid, while drawing global attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.
Katz stated on Sunday that Israel would not allow any attempt to violate the maritime blockade imposed on Gaza, which he defended as a necessary measure to prevent Hamas from importing weapons. He reaffirmed that the blockade would remain in place as part of Israel’s security strategy.
The Madleen carries 12 activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French Member of the European Parliament of Palestinian descent. Hassan has previously been barred from entering Israel due to her outspoken opposition to Israeli policies towards Palestinians.
The activists aboard the Madleen have indicated their intention to enter Gaza’s territorial waters as early as Sunday. Their mission underscores growing international concern over the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which has suffered under a three-month total blockade following the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Although Israel began allowing limited basic aid into Gaza last month, humanitarian organisations continue to warn of an impending famine unless both the war and the blockade are brought to an end.
This latest voyage follows a failed attempt by the same group last month, when another vessel in their fleet was attacked by two drones while navigating international waters near Malta. The assault damaged the front section of the ship, and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused Israel of carrying out the strike.
As tensions remain high, the voyage of the Madleen represents a renewed international challenge to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, with its high-profile passengers drawing global attention to the crisis.
With PTI inputs