Tel Aviv: Israel announced on Monday its intention to intercept a ship carrying international activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham, as it sails toward the Gaza Strip. The vessel, part of the Gaza Flotilla, aims to challenge the ongoing Israeli siege amid a severe humanitarian crisis in the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israel’s Army Radio reported that the navy is preparing for the arrival of the Madleen, a sailboat that departed from Sicily. The boat’s mission is to “break the naval blockade” on Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed its enforcement of the security maritime closure on Gaza and stated it is preparing for various potential scenarios, though it provided no additional details.
On the same day, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) issued a statement declaring the launch of the Madleen. The civilian ship is on a mission to deliver humanitarian aid and carry international human rights defenders, directly challenging what it calls Israel’s “illegal and genocidal blockade.” The crew consists of 12 people, including volunteers from several countries such as French-Palestinian European Parliament member Rima Hassan.
The Madleen carries essential supplies for Gaza’s residents, including baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, women’s sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and children’s prosthetics. The FFC emphasized the peaceful nature of this civil resistance, noting that all volunteers and crew aboard have been trained in nonviolence.
Before the ship’s departure, Greta Thunberg described the voyage as a “symbolic civilian mission” to break the siege, stating, “If there is even a shred of humanity left, we must fight for Palestine. I am here because it’s a duty.”
The vessel is expected to reach Gaza’s coastline in approximately a week, although it faces a significant risk of interception by Israeli forces in international waters. This voyage follows a prior attempt by the FFC in early May when their vessel, Conscience, was attacked by Israeli drones in international waters, resulting in a fire and damage to the ship’s hull.
The Gaza Media Office has accused Israel of using starvation to displace 2.4 million Palestinians in the enclave. It claims Israel has blocked humanitarian aid, particularly food, by closing all border crossings since March 2. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has continued its offensive in Gaza since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of nearly 54,500 Palestinians, primarily women and children. Aid agencies have warned of a potential famine among more than 2 million inhabitants in the area.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions against civilians in the enclave.