TEL AVIV, Israel. Israel’s government has vowed to stop an aid boat carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and other campaigners from reaching the Gaza Strip, saying it will not allow anyone to break its naval blockade on the Palestinian territory.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the blockade is meant to prevent Hamas from importing weapons. “To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propagandists, I will say this clearly: You should turn back, because you will not make it to Gaza,” Katz said in a statement.
The boat, the Madleen, is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and departed Sicily last Sunday. It is carrying 12 activists, including Thunberg, and aims to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila posted a video Sunday afternoon claiming their tracking and communication devices were being jammed about 160 nautical miles from Gaza. Also on board is Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian descent, who has been barred from entering Israel for her opposition to its policies.
Israel and Egypt have enforced a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control in 2007. Critics say the blockade collectively punishes Gaza’s roughly 2 million residents. While Israel began allowing some basic aid last month after a nearly three-month total blockade, humanitarian groups warn of famine unless the blockade is fully lifted.
Last month, the Freedom Flotilla’s previous attempt to reach Gaza was foiled when another vessel was attacked by two drones in international waters off Malta, damaging the ship. The group blamed Israel for the attack.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
