By YESICA FISCH and TIA GOLDENBERG, Related Press
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli forces seized a Gaza-bound support boat and detained Greta Thunberg and different activists who had been on board early Monday, implementing a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory that has been tightened throughout the Israel-Hamas warfare.
The activists had got down to protest Israel’s ongoing navy marketing campaign within the Gaza Strip, which is among the many deadliest and most damaging since World Warfare II, and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian support, each of which have put the territory of round 2 million Palestinians susceptible to famine.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organized the voyage, mentioned that the activists had been “kidnapped by Israeli forces” whereas making an attempt to ship desperately wanted support to the territory.
“The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew kidnapped, and its life-saving cargo — together with child system, meals and medical provides — confiscated,” it mentioned in an announcement. It mentioned the ship was seized in worldwide waters about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Gaza.
Local weather activist Greta Thunberg, middle, waits to board the Madleen boat, earlier than setting sail for Gaza together with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photograph/Salvatore Cavalli)
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Local weather activist Greta Thunberg, middle, waits to board the Madleen boat, earlier than setting sail for Gaza together with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photograph/Salvatore Cavalli)
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Israel’s Overseas Ministry portrayed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying in an X submit that “the ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its technique to the shores of Israel.”
It mentioned the activists would return to their residence nations and the help can be despatched to Gaza by means of established channels. It circulated footage of what gave the impression to be Israeli navy personnel handing out sandwiches and water to the activists, who had been sporting orange life vests.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli navy spokesperson, mentioned that the ship was nonetheless en path to Israel round noon Monday. It was anticipated to dock on the port of Ashdod. Afterwards, the activists had been anticipated to be held at a detention facility within the Israeli metropolis of Ramle earlier than being deported, in accordance with Adalah, a authorized rights group representing the activists.
Weeklong voyage
Thunberg, a local weather campaigner, was amongst 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which set sail from Sicily per week in the past. Alongside the best way, it had stopped on Thursday to rescue 4 migrants who had jumped overboard to keep away from being detained by the Libyan coast guard.
“I urge all my buddies, household and comrades to place strain on the Swedish authorities to launch me and the others as quickly as doable,” Thunberg mentioned in a prerecorded message launched after the ship was halted.
Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who’s of Palestinian descent, was additionally among the many volunteers on board. She has been barred from getting into Israel due to her opposition to Israeli insurance policies towards the Palestinians.
She was amongst six French residents aboard the boat. French President Emmanuel Macron requested Israel to permit them to return to France as quickly as doable, his workplace mentioned in an announcement.
Swedish Overseas Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard mentioned in Stockholm that the crew and passengers of the Madleen had been conscious of the dangers of the marketing campaign, and that her ministry has suggested in opposition to journey to Gaza for a decade and individuals who disregard that recommendation have a transparent private duty, Swedish information company TT reported.
She mentioned the ministry’s present evaluation is that nobody onboard is at risk and there’s no want for consular assist at current.
Adalah, the rights group, mentioned that Israel had “no authorized authority” to take over the ship, as a result of it was in worldwide waters and it was headed to not Israel however to the “territorial waters of the state of Palestine.”
“The arrest of the unarmed activists, who operated in a civilian method to offer humanitarian support, quantities to a severe breach of worldwide regulation,” Adalah mentioned in an announcement.
Israeli officers mentioned that the flotilla was bringing “meager” support with what amounted to lower than a truckload of support.
“This wasn’t humanitarian support. It’s Instagram activism,” Israeli authorities spokesperson David Mencer mentioned. “In the meantime, Israel has delivered over 1,200 truckloads within the final two weeks. So who’s actually feeding Gaza and who’s actually feeding their very own ego? Greta was not bringing support, she was bringing herself. And she or he’s not right here for Gaza, let’s be blunt about it. She’s right here for Greta.”
After a 2½-month complete blockade aimed toward pressuring Hamas, Israel began permitting some primary support into Gaza final month, however humanitarian staff and consultants have warned of famine until the blockade is lifted and Israel ends its navy offensive. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist group by america, Canada and the European Union.
An try final month by Freedom Flotilla to achieve Gaza by sea failed after one other of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones whereas crusing in worldwide waters off Malta, organizers mentioned. The group blamed Israel for the assault, which broken the entrance part of the ship.
18-year blockade
Israel and Egypt have imposed various levels of a blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized energy from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says the blockade is required to forestall Hamas from importing arms, whereas critics say it quantities to collective punishment of Gaza’s Palestinian inhabitants.
Israel sealed off Gaza from all support within the early days of the warfare ignited by the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, however later relented underneath U.S. strain. In early March, shortly earlier than Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, the nation once more blocked all imports, together with meals, gas and drugs.
Hamas-led terrorists killed round 1,200 folks, principally civilians, within the Oct. 7 assault and kidnapped 251 hostages, most of whom have since been launched in ceasefire agreements or different offers. Hamas continues to be holding 55 hostages, greater than half of them believed to be lifeless.
Israel’s navy marketing campaign has killed greater than 54,000 Palestinians, in accordance with the Gaza Well being Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants, however has mentioned that girls and youngsters make up a lot of the lifeless.
The warfare has destroyed huge areas of Gaza and displaced round 90% of the territory’s inhabitants, leaving folks there virtually utterly depending on worldwide support.
Efforts to dealer one other truce have been deadlocked for months. Hamas says it would solely launch the remaining hostages in change for a long-lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal, whereas Israel has vowed to proceed the warfare till all of the captives are returned and Hamas is defeated, or disarmed and exiled.
Natalie Melzer contributed to this report from Nahariya, Israel.
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