IDF prevents the aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg, other activists from reaching Gaza

Jerusalem – Israeli forces have stopped a assistance boat linked to Gaza and detainees Greta Thunberg and other activists who were on board early Monday, imposing a long -standing blockade in the Palestinian territory which was tightened during War with Hamas.

The activists had decided to protest against the current military campaign in Israel in the Gaza Strip, which is among the deadliest And the most destructive Since the Second World War, and its restrictions At the entrance to humanitarian aid, which both put the territory of some 2 million Palestinians at risk of famine.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organized the trip, said that the activists had been “kidnapped by Israeli forces” while trying to provide desperately necessary help for the territory.

“The ship was illegally embedded, its unarmed civilian crew removed, and its vital cargo – including baby’s formula, food and medical supplies – has been refined,” he said in a statement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel launched the trip as a blow of public relations, saying in an article on X that “the” Yacht Selfie “of” celebrities “is safely headed for the banks of Israel”.

He said passengers would return to their country of origin and that the aid would be delivered to Gaza through established channels. He then circulated images of what seemed to be an Israeli military personnel saying sandwiches and water to activists, who wore orange life vests.

Thunberg, a climate activist, was one of the 12 activists aboard the Madleen, who had Sicily navigate a week ago. Along the way, he stopped on Thursday To save four migrants who had jumped over board to avoid being detained by the Libyan coastal guard.

“I urge all my friends, my family and my comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to free myself and the others as soon as possible,” said Thunberg in a pre-recorded message published after the ship stop.

Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian origin, was also one of the volunteers on board. She was forbidden to enter Israel Due to his opposition to Israeli policies to the Palestinians.

After a total blockade of 2 and a half months aimed at putting pressure on Hamas, Israel began to allow basic aid in Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers and experts have Famous warned Unless the blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive.

An attempt last month by Freedom Flatilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s ships was Attacked by two drones By sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attackwho damaged the front section of the ship.

Israel and Egypt have imposed on varying degrees of Gaza since Hamas has seized the power of rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says that blocking is necessary to prevent Hamas from importing weapons, while criticisms say that this is equivalent to collective punishment of the Palestinian population of Gaza.

Israel sealed Gaza with all help in the first days of the war fired by the attack led by Hamas against southern Israel on October 7, 2023, but then gave in American pressure. At the beginning of March, shortly before Israel has ended a ceasefire with HamasThe country has again blocked all imports, including food, fuel and medication.

Activists led by Hamas killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, during the October 7 attack and removed 251 hostages, more than half of which have since been released in cease-fire agreements or other agreements. Hamas still holds 55 hostages, more than half of them believed dead.

The military campaign of Israel killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, which said that women and children make up most of the dead. This does not say if those who are killed are civilians or fighters.

The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and moved around 90% of the population of the territory, leaving people who depend almost completely on international aid.

Efforts to negotiate another truce have been deadlocked for months. Hamas says that it will only publish the remaining hostages in exchange for a sustainable ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal, while Israel has sworn to continue the war until all the captives are returned and that Hamas is defeated or disarmed and exiled.

___

Follow the coverage of the war from https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war