Israeli Defense Minister Jisrael Kac ordered the Israeli army to prevent Madleen, which brings humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Palestinian band, from reaching out to the banks of this palestine enclave. Among the 12 activists on board the boat is also Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, her colleague from Brazil Thiago avil and MEP Rima Hassan, writes TASR, according to AFP.
The cruise is organized by the Coalition of the Freedom of Freedom (FFC), which is known for its propalestinian and anti -Israeli attitudes.
The ship sailed last Sunday (June 1) from the port city of Catania on the Italian island of Sicily. Its aim is to get by sea into the Gaza Strip and to transport humanitarian aid there – baby food, medicines and other basic needs – and wants to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in this Palestinian enclave.
Israel prevents blockade
However, Israeli Defense Minister KAC said on Sunday that Israel would not allow anyone to disrupt the maritime blockade of the Gaza band to prevent the militant movement of Hamas in import and smuggling weapons. At the same time, Hamas described as “a murderous terrorist organization that detains our hostages and commits war crimes.”
“I ordered the Israeli army to ensure that Madleen does not get to Gaza. I say clearly to her Antemitarian Grete and her friends: turn it, you won’t get to Gaza,” Kac said in a statement.
He added that “Israel will hit any attempt to break the blockade or to support terrorist groups – by sea, in the air or on land.”
The previous effort disrupted the fire
A month ago, another group of activists tried to make a way to Madleen’s crew, but their efforts were disrupted by a fire on one of their ships near Malta. At that time, activists claimed that it was an attack by a drone, but the Maltese government denied.
In the past, Israel has also forced respect for the Gaza Bandard blockade by force, AFP recalled. In 2010, the Israeli commando attacked Mavi Marmar Turkish ship, which was part of a similar humanitarian fleet trying to break the blockade. Ten civilians lost their lives in the incident.
The UN draws attention to starvation
The FFC coalition was founded in 2010 and brings together entities that are opposed to the blockade of humanitarian aid supplies for the Gaza Strip. Israel tightened this blockade on March 2 this year, and since then it has only been partially mitigated.
Israel faces criticism and condemnation by the international community for the humanitarian crisis, which arose in the Gaza Strip as a result of the blockade. The UN pointed out that the whole population with more than two million people was in danger of starvation.
