Israel has pledged to stop a Gaza-bound aid vessel carrying activist Greta Thunberg, calling the flotilla a threat to national security.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has ordered the military to prevent an aid flotilla led by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition from reaching Gaza, accusing participants—including activist Greta Thunberg—of supporting terrorism.
“I have instructed the military to prevent the Madleen flotilla from reaching Gaza,” Katz said. He labelled Thunberg an “antisemite” and the activists “Hamas propaganda mouthpieces”, adding: “Turn back because you will not reach Gaza.”
The Madleen left Italy on June 1 to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s naval blockade, which predates the October 2023 war. Organisers say the ship has entered Egyptian waters.
“Israel will not allow anyone to break the naval blockade… aimed at preventing weapons from reaching Hamas,” Katz said. “Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or support terror groups—by sea, air or land.”
Meanwhile in Gaza, Israeli fire near an aid site in Rafah killed at least 10 civilians. Civil defence officials and eyewitnesses accused Israeli forces of targeting people gathering for food aid.