Israeli forces intercepted the British-flagged charity vessel Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), as it attempted to breach the naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. Departing from Sicily on June 6, the yacht aimed to deliver a symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula. Among the twelve people onboard were Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan.
Prior to the boarding, the Israeli Navy communicated with the vessel, emphasizing that the maritime area off Gaza’s coast was closed to naval traffic due to the blockade. A soldier urged the crew to redirect to the Israeli port of Ashdod for aid delivery. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the mission as a propaganda initiative supporting Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007.
The blockade has been in effect through various conflicts, presently in place amid an intensified conflict that escalated following a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties. Israel reports over 1,200 deaths, while Gaza’s health ministry claims more than 54,000 Palestinians have died since the onset of Israel’s military response. The United Nations has raised alarms about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with most of its population of over 2 million facing severe food shortages and famine.
While the Israeli military had not commented directly on the interception at the time, the incident highlights ongoing tensions concerning aid, blockade enforcement, and the broader conflict in the region.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
