Greta Thunberg Detained After Israeli Forces Seize Gaza-Bound Aid Boat Near Ashdod Port
Greta Thunberg Detained After Gaza-Bound Aid Boat Seized by Israeli Forces Near Ashdod Port
In a significant development that has drawn global attention, climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other international peace advocates were detained by Israeli authorities after their aid vessel, en route to Gaza, was intercepted and seized near the Israeli port of Ashdod. The boat, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was part of a humanitarian mission aimed at delivering critical supplies, including baby formula, food, and medical aid, to Palestinians trapped in the war-torn Gaza Strip. Israeli forces boarded the vessel on Monday and escorted it to Ashdod, where all activists disembarked and underwent medical evaluations before being taken to a detention center in Ramle for deportation procedures.
The vessel, named Madleen, had departed from Sicily a week prior and made a brief stop on Thursday to rescue four migrants in the Mediterranean Sea who had reportedly jumped overboard to avoid capture by the Libyan coast guard. Alongside Greta Thunberg, French MEP Rima Hassan, a vocal critic of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, was also aboard. The mission was launched in defiance of Israel’s blockade on Gaza, which has been in place since 2007 and further tightened following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel that left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Israel cited security concerns in enforcing the blockade but has faced increasing international criticism for what is seen as collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population.
According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the activists were “kidnapped” by Israeli forces in international waters approximately 200 kilometers from Gaza. The group condemned the seizure, describing it as an unlawful act against unarmed civilians attempting to provide life-saving assistance to a population teetering on the brink of famine. Israeli officials countered these claims, portraying the mission as a publicity stunt. In a post on social media platform X, the Israeli Foreign Ministry referred to the boat as a “selfie yacht” manned by “celebrities” and stated that all aid would be redirected to Gaza through established humanitarian channels. Footage released by Israeli authorities showed soldiers handing out water and sandwiches to the detained activists, who were wearing life vests.
Greta Thunberg, in a pre-recorded message released after the interception, urged her supporters to pressure the Swedish government for her immediate release, alongside other detainees. She emphasized the urgent need to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, where over 90% of the population has been displaced, infrastructure lies in ruins, and people are almost entirely dependent on outside assistance for survival.
The war in Gaza, now one of the deadliest and most devastating since World War II, has claimed over 54,000 Palestinian lives, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which notes that most of the casualties are women and children. Although a few temporary ceasefires have allowed some hostages to be released, more than 55 captives remain in Hamas custody, many presumed dead. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to negotiate a permanent truce remain at a standstill. Hamas demands a complete ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal as conditions for releasing hostages, while Israel maintains it will continue military operations until all hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled or exiled.
This dramatic maritime intervention highlights the ongoing global outcry over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and underscores the risks international activists are willing to take to spotlight the plight of civilians. As Israel tightens its grip and activists continue to challenge the blockade, the situation remains volatile, with profound implications for regional stability and global diplomatic relations.
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