Israel’s defence minister has pledged to stop a humanitarian aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists from reaching the Gaza Strip, reports Breaking News.
On Sunday, Israel Katz said that Israel would not permit any attempt to breach its naval blockade of the Palestinian enclave, which he claimed is in place to stop Hamas from receiving weapons.
He stated: “To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propagandists – I will say this clearly: You should turn back, because you will not make it to Gaza,” reports Breaking News.
Thunberg, the well-known climate activist, is one of 12 people aboard the Madleen, a vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The boat set sail from Sicily last Sunday, aiming to challenge the naval blockade of Gaza, deliver aid, and draw attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region, reports Breaking News.
The group had announced plans to reach Gaza’s territorial waters one week after departure.
Among those onboard is Rima Hassan, a French Member of the European Parliament of Palestinian heritage. She has previously been denied entry into Israel due to her criticism of Israeli policies towards Palestinians, reports Breaking News.
Israel, which imposed a total blockade for three months in an effort to exert pressure on Hamas, has recently allowed limited humanitarian supplies into Gaza. However, aid groups have warned that famine remains a real threat unless the blockade and fighting come to an end.
A previous attempt by the Freedom Flotilla to access Gaza waters last month failed after another vessel in the convoy was struck by two drones in international waters near Malta. The group accused Israel of carrying out the attack, which damaged the ship’s bow section, reports Breaking News.
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