Israeli Forces Divert Gaza Aid Ship the Freedom Flotilla

Israeli forces have intercepted a yacht carrying 12 international activists, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and an amount of humanitarian aid headed for Gaza. The vessel, Madleen, was stopped at sea and is now en route to the Israeli port of Ashdod.

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The yacht, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, had left Italy on June 1 with the goal of raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Named after Gaza’s first and only fisherwoman, Madleen was carrying a symbolic load of aid supplies like rice and baby formula, what Israel’s foreign ministry described as "less than a single truckload of aid."

Greta Thunberg Among Activists on Board

Thunberg, known globally for her environmental activism, is among the 12 passengers on board. Others include a French lawmaker and citizens from Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, and France. The group was attempting to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since 2007.

Following the interception, Thunberg posted that they had been “kidnapped.” Meanwhile, Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the voyage as a publicity stunt, referring to the yacht as a "selfie boat."

Israeli Response: Aid Ship Diverted to Ashdod

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that the yacht is being escorted to Ashdod, a coastal city located about 27km north of Gaza. He said the activists will be shown a video of the Hamas attacks on October 7, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israel has emphasized that the aid on board was minimal and accused the group of being more focused on making headlines than delivering meaningful help.

Calls for Activist Safety and More Humanitarian Ships

The Palestinian foreign ministry has urged the international community to ensure the safety of those on board. A UN official has also called for more aid ships to "sail together" as a unified effort to deliver aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, formed in 2010, describes itself as a “people-to-people grassroots solidarity movement” that works with civil society organizations, not governments or political parties, to oppose the blockade on Gaza.

What's Next?

As of now, the activists are being transported to Israel, according to official statements. It's not yet clear what legal actions, if any, will be taken against them. The incident has once again brought global attention to the blockade on Gaza and the urgent need for humanitarian relief in the region.

This article was previously published on saudimoments. To see the original article, click here