Israeli forces intercepted the British-flagged yacht Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), as it attempted to breach a naval blockade to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The boat, which departed Sicily on June 6, carried 12 individuals, including renowned Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French Member of the European Parliament. The Israeli Foreign Ministry had previously released a video showing the Israeli Navy urging the Madleen to alter its course, asserting the blockade was legal and offering an alternative route to deliver aid through the port of Ashdod.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the mission as a propaganda initiative supporting Hamas, emphasizing the blockade’s enforcement since Hamas’s takeover of Gaza in 2007. This blockade has persisted amid ongoing conflict, particularly following a recent Hamas-led attack that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli casualties. In response, Israeli military actions have reportedly caused the deaths of more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The United Nations has highlighted a dire humanitarian crisis, indicating that most of Gaza’s 2 million residents are facing famine.
The operation aimed to draw international attention to the situation in Gaza and criticize the ongoing blockade, which has significantly restricted the movement of goods and aid into the territory. The FFC labeled the mission crucial for illustrating the humanitarian plight faced by Gaza’s residents amidst the conflict, while Israel maintains that such efforts endanger its security and support militant factions. As the situation continues to unfold, the humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain critical, exacerbated by the conflict’s escalation.
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