Israeli forces have taken control of a charity vessel attempting to breach the naval blockade of Gaza. The yacht, named Madleen, carries a crew of twelve, including noted activist Greta Thunberg, and is now en route to a port in Israel, according to official sources.
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The British-flagged Madleen is operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), with the intention of delivering a symbolic shipment of aid to Gaza. This action aimed to raise international awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
Unfortunately, the vessel was intercepted overnight before reaching its destination. The FFC confirmed this via their Telegram channel, while the Israeli Foreign Ministry later acknowledged that the ship was now under their control.
In a statement, the Israeli ministry described the ship as a “selfie yacht” featuring “celebrities,” noting that it is “safely making its way to the shores of Israel.” The ministry assured that all passengers are safe and expected to return to their home countries.
“The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2 AM,” tweeted Rima Hassan, a prominent voice in the movement.
A recent photograph showcased the crew onboard, donning life jackets and raising their hands in a sign of peaceful protest. The yacht carried a modest shipment of humanitarian supplies, including rice and baby formula. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that this aid would be routed to Gaza through legitimate humanitarian channels.
“The minuscule amount of aid on the yacht, not consumed by the ‘celebrities,’ will be transferred to Gaza,” the ministry emphasized.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the military to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, labeling the mission as a propaganda effort supporting Hamas. The Israeli government has maintained a naval blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized control of the region in 2007.
As the blockade persists through various conflicts, including the current war initiated by a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023—resulting in over 1,200 casualties—Gaza’s health ministry reports that more than 54,000 Palestinians have lost their lives amid the ongoing military campaign.
The United Nations has issued a dire warning that the majority of Gaza’s over 2 million residents are facing famine. The Israeli government defends the blockade as a necessary measure to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas.
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, has expressed her support for the FFC’s mission. She called for further actions in her recent statement: “Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid and solidarity to Gaza,” she conveyed on X.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
