A ship of activists carrying aid to Gaza, including baby formula and medical supplies, has been intercepted by Israel’s navy.
In a post to X, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said the ship is being directed to dock in Israel and that the passengers “are expected to return to their home countries”. It called the ship a ”selfie yacht” of “celebrities”.
In a pre-recorded video posted to social media, environmental activist Greta Thunberg claims “if you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped” by Israeli forces.
Ship
After a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas broke down earlier this year, Israel instituted a blockade of aid to Gaza, which was condemned by UN agencies and international governments, including Australia.
In response to this blockade and the starvation it caused, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla (GFF) departed southern Italy on 1 June, carrying some medical supplies and food.
Its ship is called the Madleen. It has UK flags, which the GFF says means the UK Government must take action if it is attacked.
Israel disputes that no aid is getting to Gaza. It said in a statement today that “more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza within the past two weeks”.
Its Foreign Ministry added: “There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies.“
Previously, Israel has said: “The Gaza maritime zone remains an active conflict area… Unauthorised attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.”
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Last night, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to “take whatever measures are necessary” to stop the “hate flotilla from reaching... Gaza”.
Then, earlier today, the GFF shared a series of posts to social media saying drones were spotted over the Madleen.
Footage shared from the ship shows a white substance being sprayed on its windows.
Another video from the ship shows the passengers throwing their phones overboard as the IDF boards.
The GFF has since posted a series of pre-recorded videos from its passengers, who come from countries around the world.
The GFF called on viewers to “pressure” the foreign ministries of these countries, such as France, Spain, and Brazil, to keep the passengers “safe”.
In Thunberg’s video, she urges the Swedish Government to call for her release.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has since posted a video showing the passengers on a small boat being given sandwiches and water, and a photo of Thunberg.
