Aid Ship Bound for Gaza Boarded by Israeli Forces

The Madleen aid ship, organized by Greta Samberg and various international activists, was intercepted by Israeli forces shortly after they issued a demand for its return. This news came via a telegram post from the coalition involved.

On June 1, the ship was carrying 12 activists, including the well-known Swedish climate and peace advocate Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which manages the Madleen, reported that the vessel was boarded illegally. They claimed that the unarmed crew was accused of wrongdoing and that crucial life-saving supplies—like baby formula, food, and medical items—were seized.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the crew to abandon their humanitarian mission, labeling the group as “anti-Semitic.”

In a direct warning to Thunberg and her associates, Katz stated, “To the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propagandists—you’re not going to Gaza, so you should come back.” He emphasized Israel’s intention to act firmly against any efforts to breach the blockade.

Samberg, age 22, is prohibited from entering Israel due to her public stance on the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

Before the crew released their official statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry shared a video on social media. In it, the Israeli Navy attempted to communicate with the Madleen using loudspeakers.

The video featured a soldier explaining that the maritime zone near Gaza is off-limits to naval traffic under the legal blockade. He urged those wanting to send humanitarian aid to consider alternative routes.

The crew’s mission was to deliver essential supplies to Gaza refugees, including baby formula and basic food items like rice. They had planned to reach the coast by Sunday after a week-long journey from Sicily but faced challenges from Israeli threats and communication disruptions caused by jamming devices.

Currently, many residents in Gaza are experiencing severe hunger due to the Israeli blockade that has been in place since 2007.

A UN report has indicated that approximately 2 million refugees in Gaza could face complete starvation if aid is not provided soon.

The crew stated they were impeded by Israeli forces during their mission.

Earlier in May, another vessel from the same NGO was targeted by a drone off the coast of Malta. Thankfully, all 30 individuals on board were safely evacuated, and the coalition condemned the attack. Israel has yet to comment on this incident.

Notably, in 2010, another humanitarian ship was seized by the Israeli military, resulting in the deaths of nine activists and injuries to many others. An IDF spokesperson claimed that soldiers acted in self-defense after being attacked during the boarding process.