Key Points
- Greta Thunberg detained: Nobel laureate and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained by Israeli forces in international waters while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
- Ship intercepted: The vessel Madeleine, carrying food, medicine, and essential supplies for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, was surrounded and seized by five Israeli speedboats.
- Aid mission blocked: The mission, organized by Freedom Flotilla, aimed to break Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian relief to Gaza, where aid entry has been banned since March 2.
- Accusations of kidnapping: Thunberg released a video accusing Israeli soldiers of kidnapping her and other activists.
- International implications: Israel cited security concerns for blocking the ship and reportedly asked the UK to intervene, but the UK declined.
Tel Aviv: In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Swedish environmental activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Greta Thunberg was detained by Israeli soldiers on Monday. Thunberg, along with 12 other activists, was intercepted in international waters while attempting to deliver urgently needed aid to Gaza.
Humanitarian Mission Interrupted
Thunberg and her team were aboard the ship Madeleine, which was loaded with food, medical supplies, baby formula, and diapers critical items for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents facing severe shortages due to the ongoing blockade. The mission was organized by the Freedom Flotilla, a coalition known for its peaceful civil resistance and repeated attempts to break the siege of Gaza.
Israeli Forces Intervene
Early Monday morning, five Israeli speedboats surrounded the Madeleine in international waters. Israeli soldiers boarded the vessel, took control, and detained all passengers, including Thunberg. Instead of being allowed to proceed to Gaza, the ship and its occupants were redirected to Israel.
Greta Thunberg’s Response
Shortly after her detention, Thunberg released a video statement accusing Israeli soldiers of kidnapping her and the other activists. She emphasized the peaceful nature of their mission and called for international attention to the plight of Gaza’s civilians.
The Blockade and International Reaction
Since March 2, Israel has enforced a total ban on the entry of relief materials into Gaza, citing security concerns. Israeli authorities initially considered allowing the Madeleine to dock in Gaza but reversed their decision, fearing it would set a precedent and encourage further aid flotillas. According to reports from the Times of Israel, Israel even appealed to the UK to intervene and stop the ship, but Britain declined to take action.
Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
The Freedom Flotilla, which has long advocated for the rights of Palestinians in Gaza, described the mission as a peaceful effort to deliver life-saving aid. With the blockade tightening and humanitarian conditions worsening, the interception of the Madeleine has drawn renewed global attention to the crisis.
