Israel vows to prevent aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and others from reaching Gaza
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli forces stopped a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists early Monday and diverted it to Israel, enforcing a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory that has been tightened during the war with Hamas.
In a post on X, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the boat “is safely making its way to the shores of Israel.” The passengers “are expected to return to their home countries,” it added, without providing details.
It said the humanitarian aid aboard the ship would be transferred to Gaza through established channels. It later circulated footage of what appeared to be Israeli military personnel handing out sandwiches and water to the activists, who were wearing orange life vests.
Thunberg, a climate campaigner, is among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel departed Sicily on June 1.
Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist aboard the boat, posted a video on social media Sunday saying someone appeared to be jamming their tracking and communication devices about 160 nautical miles from Gaza.
