On Monday, Israel intercepted a Gaza-bound boat carrying activists, including prominent climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. The vessel, named the Madleen, had set sail from Italy on June 1 to draw attention to severe food shortages in Gaza, a situation the United Nations has described as the “hungriest place on Earth,” with the entire population now at risk of famine.
The Israeli government had ordered its forces to prevent the so-called “celebrities yacht” from arriving in Gaza. Contact with the activists was lost early that morning; prior to this, alerts were sounded, and life jackets were being prepared. Thunberg shared a pre-recorded video on social media, stating, “If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters,” underscoring the alarming situation onboard.
According to a statement released by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the group organizing the mission, Israeli military forces intercepted the Madleen around 3:02 am CET (0102 GMT), just off the coast of Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that the boat was redirected towards Israeli shores, expecting the passengers to be returned to their home countries. The ministry claimed that all those aboard the vessel were safe and unharmed, providing them with sandwiches and water, while stating that any aid intended for Gaza that went unused would be funneled through “real humanitarian channels.”
This interception occurred amid growing international criticism of Israel for its blockade of Gaza, which has lasted for over two months, resulting in drastic shortages of food and essential supplies. While Israel has begun to collaborate with the newly established U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to distribute aid in Southern and Central Gaza, humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the GHF’s neutrality and operational practices. The United Nations has also refused to engage with the GHF, citing these same concerns.
Recent reports from Gaza’s civil defense agency revealed fatalities near GHF distribution points, reporting at least ten deaths on Sunday alone due to Israeli military fire, including five civilians. Eyewitnesses recounted how civilians were shot while attempting to access aid at a GHF site near Rafah.
Desperation for food aid continues to escalate in Gaza; displaced residents have expressed their struggles in obtaining resources. One woman, Umm Ghassan, revealed her fear of going to a GHF site due to the chaos and gunfire, illustrating the dire circumstances under which many are trying to feed their families.
Additionally, the Israeli military announced the identification of the body of Mohammed Sinwar, a presumed leader of Hamas in Gaza. His death, which had not been officially confirmed until now, came following ongoing Israeli military actions. Sinwar was reportedly involved in the organization of indirect negotiations with Israel and was believed to have ascended within Hamas ranks, especially following the death of other prominent figures within the organization.
The casualty figures have been staggering, with Hamas reporting over 54,880 deaths in Gaza since the conflict escalated, a claim the United Nations deems credible. Meanwhile, the toll of the conflict has been significant on both sides, highlighting the ongoing loss of civilian lives amidst a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region.
