Gaza mission curbed: IDF intercepts, boards Greta Thunberg’s yacht; group calls detention ‘arbitrary’ and ‘illegal’

(Source: freedomflotilla)

A civilian vessel carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and different volunteers was intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday in worldwide waters.According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which organised the mission, the ship Madleen was attacked at 3:02 am CET. The vessel was trying to ship humanitarian help to Gaza in defiance of the Israeli naval blockade. The group claims the ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed crew kidnapped, and its cargo of meals, child formulation and medical provides confiscated.“Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,” stated Huwaida Arraf, a human rights legal professional and Freedom Flotilla organiser. “This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”Footage posted on the Madleen’s Telegram channel reveals activists placing on life jackets in anticipation of the interception. Israel’s army reportedly boarded the vessel after warning it to vary course.Israeli defence minister Israel Katz confirmed the order to stop the ship from reaching Gaza. “I have instructed the IDF to act so that the hate flotilla does not reach the shores of Gaza and to take all necessary measures to that end,” he stated. “To the antisemitic Greta and her friends who echo Hamas propaganda, I say clearly: You’d better turn back – because you will not reach Gaza.”The Israeli overseas ministry had earlier known as the flotilla a “media gimmick” disguised as a humanitarian mission. “The maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to unauthorised vessels under a legal naval blockade, consistent with international law,” the ministry posted on X. “The yacht is claiming that it is delivering humanitarian aid. In fact, it is a media gimmick for publicity (which includes less than a single truckload of aid) – a ‘selfie yacht’.”This isn’t the primary time the FFC has confronted army motion. The group says a earlier vessel, Conscience, was bombed by an Israeli drone in European waters, injuring 4 civilians and leaving the ship disabled and on hearth.In response, the coalition has known as for the rapid launch of all detained volunteers, the supply of the confiscated help on to Palestinians, and accountability for what they name a sample of unprovoked army aggression.