Israel Orders Military To Block Gaza Aid Flotilla With Greta Thunberg On Board

dailycaller.com

Israel’s defense minister has ordered the military to prevent a Gaza-bound aid flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg from reaching its destination, citing national security concerns and a refusal to allow any breach of Israel’s blockade.

On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “to act so that the ‘Madeleine’ hate flotilla does not reach the shores of Gaza — and to take any means necessary to that end,” according to a statement he posted to X. (RELATED: Israel Issues Ominous Warning To Greta Thunberg As She Sails For Gaza)

“Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organizations — at sea, in the air and on land,” Katz said. He did not elaborate on specific actions the IDF might take.

The vessel in question is the Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and is carrying a dozen activists — including Thunberg, a prominent Swedish climate activist — in addition to humanitarian supplies. The ship reportedly departed Italy earlier this month and, as of Sunday afternoon, was approximately 160 nautical miles from Gaza.

The coalition said the cargo includes baby formula, diapers, sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches and children’s prosthetics. Organizers characterized the mission as a “peaceful act of civil resistance.”

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition responded via Instagram, accusing Israel of threatening “unlawful force” and attempting to “justify violence with baseless smears.”

“We will not be intimidated,” the group said.

Israel has maintained a naval blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, citing the risk of weapons smuggling to Hamas and other militant groups. The blockade has been backed in part by Egypt, though it remains controversial among international observers.

The tension surrounding the flotilla comes as violence in Gaza continues. At least five people were killed by gunfire on Sunday en route to two aid distribution sites run by an Israeli- and U.S.-backed humanitarian group, the Associated Press reported.

Thunberg has not released a public statement about her participation in the flotilla.