Israel’s government announced on Sunday that it will stop an aid boat carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and other campaigners from reaching the Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the country will maintain its naval blockade of Gaza to prevent Hamas from importing weapons. Katz addressed Thunberg and the activists aboard the vessel, warning them to turn back, stating they would not be allowed to enter Gaza.
Thunberg is among 12 activists on board the ship Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The boat set sail from Sicily last Sunday with the goal of breaking the sea blockade and delivering humanitarian aid, while drawing attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis after nearly two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The activists planned to arrive near Gaza’s waters by Sunday. However, Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist on board, shared a video indicating that their tracking and communication devices were being jammed about 160 nautical miles from Gaza.
Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian descent, is also on the boat. She has been barred from entering Israel due to her opposition to Israeli policies toward Palestinians.
After a strict 2½-month blockade designed to pressure Hamas, Israel recently allowed some basic aid into Gaza, but humanitarian organizations warn of famine unless the blockade is lifted and military actions cease.
Last month, a similar attempt by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea was thwarted after one of its vessels was attacked by drones in international waters near Malta. The group accused Israel of carrying out the attack, which damaged the ship’s front.
Since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, Israel and Egypt have enforced various levels of blockade. Critics argue this amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s population of roughly 2 million people.
Israel initially sealed Gaza off entirely following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, but eased restrictions under U.S. pressure. However, in early March, just before ending a ceasefire with Hamas, Israel blocked all imports including food, fuel, and medicine.
Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, during the October attack and abducted 251 hostages. More than half of the hostages have since been released through ceasefire agreements or other deals, but 55 remain captive, many believed to be deceased.
Israel’s ongoing military campaign has resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with the majority being women and children. The conflict has devastated much of Gaza and displaced nearly 90% of its population, leaving most residents reliant on international aid.
