Greta Thunberg Denied Gaza Landing

Denied Gaza Landing

Israeli forces have intercepted the UK-flagged aid boat Madleen, carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists, preventing it from reaching Gaza. The boat was diverted to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where the activists will be shown footage of Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack and then deported to their respective countries.

Additional Details:

• Interception and Diversion: The Madleen was intercepted in international waters and is being towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod. Israeli officials claim the vessel and its passengers are safe and unharmed.

• Activists' Reactions: Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French MEP, accused Israel of "kidnapping" them and called for international pressure to secure their release.

• International Response: France has requested permission to facilitate the rapid return of the six French nationals on board, and Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz has condemned the interception, demanding a response from the European Union.

• Humanitarian Concerns: The Freedom Flotilla Coalition aimed to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of widespread hunger and a collapsing health system.

• Israeli Justification: Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, stated that the naval blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas and that the interception was a response to a "provocation".