Gaza aid ship activists accuse Israel of ‘forcibly intercepting’ vessel as Israeli foreign ministry says ship heading to Israel – live

Freedom Flotilla Coalition says ship’s communications were jammed after Israeli defence minister threatened to ‘take all necessary measures’ to prevent the humanitarian ship from reaching Gaza

IDF ordered to stop Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg

According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Madleen has 12 activists on board. Among them are Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, and Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament.

Before leaving Sicily on board the Madleen, Thunberg told reporters: “We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying. Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. And, no matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the livestreamed genocide.”

These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalized for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”