The attempt to block the flotilla carrying pro-Palestinian activists comes 15 years after a similar aid effort ended in deadly violence. Israel announced on Sunday its intent to prevent a ship, carrying a dozen activists and some aid, from reaching Gaza, stating that its military would use “any means necessary” to enforce the naval blockade.
The civilian ship, named the Madleen, is organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a campaign opposing Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza. It departed from Sicily on June 1 and was reported to be off the coast of Egypt, approximately 160 nautical miles from Gaza.
Among the passengers are noted climate activist Greta Thunberg and European Parliament member Rima Hassan. Israel imposed the blockade in 2007, with the assistance of Egypt, following Hamas's takeover of the coastal strip. Israeli officials justify the blockade as a measure to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza.
Conditions in Gaza have significantly deteriorated since a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, which has led to the current ongoing conflict. Recently, Israel restricted humanitarian aid entry for 80 days, exacerbating food insecurity, according to international aid organizations.
The Madleen is reported to carry a minimal amount of humanitarian supplies, including baby formula and medical supplies, despite its symbolic mission. Israel’s defense minister stated that the military was instructed to prevent the vessel from reaching Gaza, labeling the activists as “propagandists for Hamas.”
Thunberg has been vocal against Israel’s blockade, emphasizing the mission's moral imperative despite the risks involved. Past attempts to deliver aid to Gaza by sea have faced similar military intervention, most notably the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, which resulted in the deaths of nine activists and significant international backlash.
Another recent attempt by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to challenge the blockade was hindered when the ship Conscience was damaged by explosions off Malta, forcing the mission to be abandoned. In response to the humanitarian situation, Israel recently lifted its total ban on aid entry, implementing a new distribution system to deliver assistance to Palestinians.
Despite these efforts, the aid distribution has met with challenges, including incidents where Israeli forces fired upon Palestinians attempting to collect food aid. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, responsible for some recent distributions, reported delivering over 1.1 million meals on a single day, though it faced threats from Hamas regarding its operations.