A humanitarian boat carrying 12 activists – together with Swedish local weather campaigner Greta Thunberg – will proceed its voyage towards Gaza “until the last minute,” campaigners vowed Sunday, regardless of an Israeli order to intercept the vessel.
“We’ll stay mobilized until the last moment – until Israel cuts the internet and networks,” European Parliament member Rima Hassan informed Agence France-Presse (AFP) from aboard the ship Madleen.
The Madleen, a part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail from Sicily final week carrying aid provides in a mission to interrupt Israel’s blockade of Gaza, the place the struggle with Hamas has now entered its twenty first month.
“There are 12 of us civilians on board. We are not armed. There is only humanitarian aid,” Hassan mentioned.
Earlier within the day, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the army to dam the boat from reaching the Palestinian territory.
“I say clearly: Turn back because you will not reach Gaza,” Gallant mentioned in a press release from his workplace.
The coalition responded in a press release on X, saying it anticipated “interception and an attack from Israel at any moment” and calling for the governments of these on board to guard them.
Nationals of Germany, France, Brazil, Türkiye, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands are amongst these aboard.
“We’re not scared of them,” mentioned German human rights activist Yasemin Acar, additionally aboard the vessel.
“The message they have been sending us – that we cannot come closer – is not making us step back,” she added.
Hassan voiced concern over the shortage of official response from international locations whose residents are a part of the crew.
“No state has responded. The message being sent is that Israel is being allowed to act with impunity, without any guarantee of protection for us,” she mentioned.
On Sunday, French Minister for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad Laurent Saint-Martin mentioned France was obliged to make sure “consular protection” for its nationals aboard the Madleen.
“The six French citizens on this boat are entitled to consular protection,” he informed a state TV channel.
The Gaza struggle started following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, incursion on southern Israel, which resulted within the deaths of 1,218 folks.
On Sunday, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza mentioned the general dying toll had reached 54,880, the bulk civilians.
Israel has enforced a naval blockade on Gaza since earlier than the Hamas assault.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition was based in 2010 to oppose the blockade and ship humanitarian support.
Israel has confronted mounting worldwide condemnation over the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, the place the United Nations has warned the complete inhabitants of greater than 2 million is liable to famine.
Source: www.dailysabah.com