Activists Report: Israeli Troops Seize Aid Ship Destined for Gaza—What You Need to Know

Activists report that Israeli troops have boarded a yacht, the Madleen, aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) announced via Telegram that they had lost contact with the vessel. Photos shared showed people onboard with their hands raised, wearing life jackets.

Among those on the yacht is climate activist Greta Thunberg. The boat reportedly set sail from Sicily and is currently off the Egyptian coast. Israel’s foreign ministry stated that the navy instructed the yacht to change its course to avoid a restricted area, emphasizing that the blockade is vital to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas militants in Gaza.

The FFC maintained that the yacht was carrying crucial humanitarian supplies and had prepared for the possibility of Israeli action. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, warned that any attempts to breach the blockade would be met with force. In a post on X, he made it clear that he directed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to stop the yacht, claiming the blockade is essential for Israel’s safety.

The FFC countered by labeling the blockade illegal and accused Katz of misusing threats against civilians. They stressed that the Madleen is simply a civilian vessel, unarmed and operating in international waters, carrying essential aid like rice and baby formula.

Onboard are citizens from several countries, including Brazil, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Historically, this isn’t the first time Israel has clashed with aid vessels. In 2010, Israeli commandos killed 10 people on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara during a similar attempt to reach Gaza.

Recently, after a three-month blockade, Israel has allowed limited aid to enter Gaza, distributing it through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—an organization facing widespread criticism from humanitarian groups. United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk expressed grave concerns about the dire conditions Palestinians face, describing their plight as a harsh choice between starvation and the risk of death while seeking food.

Since the outbreak of a military campaign in Gaza following the devastating Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, approximately 54,880 people have reportedly died in the territory, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. This ongoing conflict has intensified discussions globally about the impacts of blockades on civilian lives.

For further insights into the humanitarian situation in Gaza, you can refer to reports from BBC.

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