New Delhi: Greta Thunberg is on way to Gaza with other activists on a large yacht, carrying aid for people in the war-torn city in Palestine.
However, the globally-acclaimed Swedish climate activist is set to face a tough challenge after Israel vowed on Sunday to prevent the boat – Madleen — from entering the territory.
Defence minister Israel Katz said that Israel will not permit any breach of its naval blockade on Palestinian territory, clarifying that the move was intended to stop Hamas from bringing in weapons.
“I have instructed the military to prevent the Madleen flotilla from reaching Gaza,” Katz said in a statement from his office.
“To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propagandists — I will say this clearly: You should turn back, because you will not make it to Gaza,” Katz added.
Thunberg apart, there are 11 activists aboard the Madleen, which is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The Madleen sailed out of Italy on June 1 with the aim of providing humanitarian relief and lifting the Israeli blockade on Palestinian territory.
The organisers of the voyage said on Saturday the yacht had arrived in Egyptian waters, and was getting close to Gaza. The activists had initially planned to reach Gaza’s territorial waters by Sunday. But what awaits them following Israel’s stern order remains to be seen.
Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, is among those onboard Madleen. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.
“Israel will not allow anyone to break the naval blockade of Gaza, which is aimed at preventing weapons from reaching Hamas – a murderous terrorist group holding our hostages and committing war crimes. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or support terror groups – by sea, air or land,” Katz stated.
War broke out in October 2023 after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.
The retaliation has been brutal and relentless. Israel sealed Gaza off from all aid in the early days of the war, but relented under US pressure. However, in March this year, shortly before Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu again blocked all imports, including food, fuel and medicine.
Last month, an attempt by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters, off Malta.
Israel was blamed for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.
