TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli forces intercepted a humanitarian aid ship heading to Gaza on Monday and detained its passengers. One of the detainees was climate activist Greta Thunberg. She was detained amid ongoing access restrictions to the Palestinian territory.
The civilian ship Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was stopped in international waters. According to Newsweek, the Israeli military stated that the interception was part of law enforcement actions related to the long-standing naval blockade in Gaza. FFC mentioned that the group was trying to deliver humanitarian aid, including food, baby formula, and medical supplies.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Madleen was redirected to the port of Ashdod in Israel. The passengers will be returned to their home countries. The ministry released a video showing the activists wearing life jackets and receiving food and water. In a statement posted online, the ministry described the ship as a "selfie cruise ship." The dispatched aid will be transferred to Gaza through established procedures.
Before being arrested by the Israeli military, in a video released by FFC, Greta Thunberg delivered her last words. "If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel," she said.
FFC had advised the activists to prepare for wiretapping and to record messages beforehand. The Israeli government stated that its attempt to enter Gaza was illegal and a violation of the law. Thunberg and her colleagues were accused of disrupting ongoing humanitarian efforts.
Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that he instructed the Israeli Defense Forces to prevent Madleen from reaching Gaza. The passengers will be shown footage of Hamas' attacks on October 7, 2023, when they arrive in Israel.
Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade on Gaza since 2007, following the territory's takeover by Hamas. Israel stated that the restrictions are aimed at preventing the import of weapons and materials used by militant groups.
Hamas, which governs Gaza, called the wiretapping a blatant violation of international law. Hamas stated that the activists are civilian volunteers acting on humanitarian grounds. The group demanded their immediate release and called on the United Nations and other international organizations to intervene.
Israeli authorities have indicated that the detained activists will be processed and repatriated. On Monday, they were transported to Ashdod.
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