Israeli authorities early Monday morning intercepted a ship headed to Gaza with climate activist Greta Thunberg and Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan on board.
“If you are seeing this video, it is because we were intercepted either by the State of Israel or by forces complicit with the State of Israel.
The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,” Israel’s foreign ministry said in a post on social media.
“France calls on the Israeli government to allow immediate, massive, and unhindered access for humanitarian aid to Gaza,” the statement said.
On Sunday, at least 12 people were reportedly killed by gunfire on their way to aid distribution points in Gaza run by a controversial Israeli and U.S.-backed group known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Early on Monday, a ship carrying Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan and climate activist Greta Thunberg was intercepted by Israeli authorities en route to Gaza.
If you’re watching this video, it’s because the State of Israel or its allies intercepted us. “We rely on your mobilization to exert pressure on the French government to demand our release,” Hassan stated in a video released by the Left group of the European Parliament, to which she belongs.
Known as the Freedom Flotilla and run by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Madleen sailed from Italy on June 1 with aid for the civilian population of Gaza in an effort to “break the Israeli blockade.”. “.”.
The “selfie yacht” belonging to the “celebrities” is safely approaching Israel’s coastline. Israel’s foreign ministry stated in a social media post that the travelers are anticipated to return to their countries of origin. They were given water and sandwiches. The show is over. . “.”.
According to a statement from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Paris has asked for consular protection for the six French citizens on board.
According to him, the French consulate has asked to see them and permit their quick return to France. “The Israeli government is urged by France to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza with immediate, extensive, and unimpeded access,” the statement read.
Reports of widespread hunger and a failing health system brought on by Israel’s restrictions on aid and continuous military offensive indicate the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave.
According to reports, at least 12 people were shot dead on Sunday while traveling to aid distribution centers in Gaza that are managed by a contentious Israeli and U.S. A. -supported organization called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Since the Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out a violent attack on Israeli soil, killing over 1,000 people and taking hostages, Israel has been conducting a retaliatory assault in the Gaza Strip for more than 18 months. According to local health officials, the attack has killed over 50,000 people, and the blockade has brought the coastal enclave to the verge of famine, according to the UN.
With the EU preparing to review its political and economic agreement with Israel due to the “catastrophic” situation in the Palestinian enclave, European politicians have been putting more political pressure on Israel to halt its war on Gaza.
The European Union was urged by the Left Group, the U. N. and national governments to call the interception “a blatant violation of international law” and demand the release of the Madleen passengers as well as the vessel’s free passage to Gaza. “.”.
According to Israel Katz, Israel’s defense minister, he instructed the military to play a video of the October Hamas attack for the Madleen passengers. 7, 2023, labeling Hassan a “supporter of Hamas” and Thunberg “antisemitic.”. “”.
Clea Caulcutt helped write this report.
