Israel Seizes Gaza Aid Boat in International Waters

Israeli forces on Monday boarded and seized a humanitarian aid boat on its way to the Gaza Strip, detaining the 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and French member of the European Parliament, Rima Hassan, the Washington Post reported. 

The boat, Madleen, operated by the international Gaza solidarity group, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was aiming to bring supplies to Gazans, including baby formula, diapers, women’s sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, and other goods, according to Politico.  

Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz on Sunday instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prevent the boat from reaching Gaza: Israel has long had a blockade on Gaza because it believes weapons are smuggled in along with aid, the BBC noted.  

According to Israel’s foreign ministry, the boat arrived in Israel, and its passengers were expected to return home. The ministry also shared footage of soldiers handing out food and water to the people on board. 

On Tuesday, the ministry said the activists were sent to Tel Aviv airport for deportation, the BBC added. 

The FFC described its mission as a “peaceful act of civil resistance” and argued that the Israeli sea blockade is illegal. 

Apart from Thunberg and Hassan, nationals from Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey were on board the United Kingdom-flagged Madleen that set off from Italy on June 1. 

Some United Nations officials, European lawmakers, human rights and aid organizations criticized the capture of the ship in international waters, calling it a violation of international law.