Jerusalem (AP) – Israeli forces have seized a aid 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 – confiscated,” he said in a statement. He said the ship had been seized in international waters about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Gaza.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel has described the journey as a stroke of public relations, saying in an article on X that “the” yacht selfie “of” celebrities “is safely headed for the banks of Israel”. The boat was to arrive at the Israeli Port of Ashdod later on Monday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that activists would return to their country of origin and that aid would be sent to Gaza through established channels. He circulated images of what seemed to be Israeli military staff saying sandwiches and water to activists, who wore orange life vests.
A week -long trip
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, me 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 While sailing in international waters off Malta, the organizers said. The group blamed Israel for the attackwho damaged the front section of the ship.
An 18 -year blockade
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, most 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 does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but said that women and children make up most of the deaths.
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.
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