The renowned Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, was recently apprehended by Israeli naval forces from her 'Freedom Flotilla' as it approached the besieged Gaza Strip.
The Israel Foreign Ministry confirmed her detention, assuring that she was 'safe and healthy.' Thunberg, along with approximately 500 activists and aid workers, was part of a controversial convoy on a self-proclaimed 'peaceful mission' to deliver supplies to Palestinians in Gaza.
According to the Daily Mail, Thunberg was previously deported by Israel in June when the ship she was aboard, the Madleen, was intercepted by the military. The Israeli authorities were accused of deploying drones to spray an irritant substance on Thunberg's flotilla before boarding and detaining her and other activists.
The flotilla, which included Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, and several European lawmakers, comprised nearly 50 boats.
The Global Sumud Flotilla reported that its vessels were being boarded by the Israeli navy as they neared Palestinian territory. Greg Stoker, an American veteran aboard one of the boats, reported that around a dozen naval vessels with their transponders off had approached them.
He said, "They are currently hailing our vessels, telling us to turn off our engines and await further instructions or our boats will be seized and we will face the consequences."
The Israeli Foreign Ministry had previously reached out to the flotilla, asking them to change course and warning them that they were approaching 'an active combat zone.' They reiterated their offer to transfer the aid to Gaza through other channels.
This sentiment was echoed by other European governments, including Italy, which had sent a navy ship to follow the flotilla for part of its journey but stopped as they got closer to Gaza's shores.
Despite the tense atmosphere, the international flotilla vowed to continue its journey. Thiago vila, one of the flotilla leaders, said, "Every minute we advance a little more." However, there are concerns that the situation could escalate into a disaster as the 500-strong crew has ignored repeated warnings and refused to hand over the aid to be delivered by land crossing.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled the flotilla a provocation and urged them to stop and transfer their aid through other channels into Gaza. He posted, "It is not too late." The Israeli government has accused some of the flotilla members of being linked to Hamas, with little evidence to support the claim.
The last stunt by Thunberg was dealt with swiftly by the IDF who intercepted her lone vessel, deported those on board, and reported that the activists had eaten most of the aid. However, this flotilla of 44 ships is considered 'a different ball game,' and there are growing concerns of a repeat of the 2010 Mavi Marmara disaster where nine activists were killed when Israeli commandos stormed vessels.
Activists have vehemently denied the accusations and claimed that Israel was attempting to justify potential attacks on them. European governments, including Spain and Italy, which had sent their navy ships to escort the flotilla during part of its journey, urged the activists to turn back and avoid confrontation.
The flotilla's advance coincides with the killing of at least 31 Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday by Israeli forces, as reported by local Hamas-run hospitals. This has raised questions about US President Donald Trump's recent proposal for resolving the war in Gaza.
While the proposal offers an end to the fighting and promises reconstruction, the Palestinian militant group will have to disarm, something it has rejected in the past.
The Israeli campaign in Gaza has resulted in the death of more than 66,000 Palestinians and nearly 170,000 others have been wounded, according to Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its toll, but has said women and children make up around half the dead.
This campaign was triggered by Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which terrorists killed some 1,200 people and abducted 250 others.
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