Israeli naval forces intercepted the UK-flagged aid vessel Madleen carrying humanitarian goods and high-profile activists–including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg–approximately 200 km off Gaza’s coast in international waters, in its mission to break Israel’s maritime blockade and bring aid into war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
The Madleen was taken under arrest early Monday morning, before she was eventually towed back to Ashdod port later that night (sources: Wikipedia; Welt.de and Independent.co.uk).
Israeli authorities maintain that their operation was lawful and necessary in order to maintain the blockade in place since 2007 during hostilities with Hamas (see Wikipedia for details), in accordance with an Israeli court’s ruling ( AP News.com plus 2 and En Wikipedia plus 2)
Twelve activists were detained, including Thunberg as well as those representing France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Turkey; they are being held at a detention facility in Ramle pending deportation; these websites give more details. (sources for more info: en.wikipedia.org + 10 + cadenaser + 10 cbsnews +10)
Israeli Foreign Ministry announced they have been brought to Ben-Gurion Airport and must sign deportation orders within hours in order to return home, otherwise possible charges under Israeli law may apply.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz accused activists of orchestrating a “media provocation,” alleging connections with Hamas. https://youtube.com+4 welt.de +4 theguardian
Authorities intend to show detainees footage of the October 7 Hamas massacre before authorising their departure, according to The Guardian (+1), En.wikipedia and Wikipedia respectively (+1).
Freedom Flota Coalition critics however, denounced Israel’s raid as an unlawful seizure on the high seas in violation of international law, accusing it of kidnapping activists aboard their ships (Wikipedia/APNews.com + 10).
They claim the ship carried life-saving aid – including baby formula, flour, rice, diapers and medical kits for medical treatment of children as well as prosthetic devices – that was confiscated. Their site details this claim (pbs.org; en.wikipedia; apnews);
Legal experts remain divided, with Israel maintaining that its blockade of Gaza is legally justifiable despite ongoing hostilities; rights groups including Amnesty International and the UN raising concerns that such interceptions in international waters, deportations of peaceful activists, or detention without just cause could breach international humanitarian law and could violate their international humanitarian obligations (Bild.de and Apnews.com for example).
The United Nations and several foreign governments have expressed alarm about Israel’s interception of humanitarian aid ships in international waters and its failure to honor obligations regarding humanitarian assistance shipments; France, Spain and Turkey have made public statements protesting and asking that their nationals onboard Madleen be released immediately (AP News/The Guardian/World.de, respectively).
Meanwhile, violence continues to escalate in Gaza: Israeli forces struck Rafah with airstrikes, killing multiple medical staffers and deepening the humanitarian crisis further.
Madleen’s story unfolds just days before an impending “Global March to Gaza”, with thousands expected to gather at Rafah Crossing by land to protest blockade and conflict, according to Wikipedia.org.
As Israel moves to deport detainees – including Greta Thunberg who has increasingly linked climate activism with Palestinian justice efforts- this incident highlights the intricate interplay among direct humanitarian action, civil disobedience, international solidarity and national security during Gaza war.
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