Israel on Sunday directed its military to stop a humanitarian ship carrying activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, from breaching the Gaza blockade. Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a statement ordering the military to prevent the Madleen flotilla from reaching Gaza. Katz accused Thunberg of antisemitism and labeled the activists as Hamas propaganda mouthpieces, warning them to turn back.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s Madleen departed Italy on 1 June, aiming to deliver aid and challenge Israel’s long-standing naval blockade of Gaza. Organizers reported on Saturday that the vessel had entered Egyptian waters and was nearing Gaza, where conflict has raged for 21 months.
Minister Katz emphasized that Israel would not permit any breach of the naval blockade, designed to stop weapons from reaching Hamas.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Katz reiterated that Israel would counter any attempts to break the blockade or support terrorist groups by sea, air, or land.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that Israeli attacks killed at least 10 people on Sunday. Mahmud Bassal, the agency’s spokesman, described an incident where Israeli forces opened fire on civilians near an aid distribution center in Rafah.
Furthermore, the civilians were heading to a site managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a group criticized by the UN for its practices and neutrality. The Israeli military stated that it fired on individuals who continued advancing despite warnings, endangering soldiers in an active combat zone. Eyewitness Abdallah Nour al-Din recounted the events, describing how hundreds gathered and the military responded with force.
The health ministry in Gaza reported that the conflict’s death toll has risen to 54,880, predominantly civilians, with the UN confirming these figures. As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely, urging a resolution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel remains steadfast in its blockade, emphasizing the need to prevent arms smuggling and protect its citizens from terrorist threats.
