Israeli military sources said that Israel would send a “direct message” to Madleen, the sailing boat of Freedom Flotilla Coalition, not to enter Gaza, according to The Jerusalem Post.
On Sunday, the aid ship set out from the Sicilian port of Catania in southern Italy on a mission to break “Israel’s siege” of the devastated territory, organizers said.
The activists stated that they will try to reach the shores of Gaza and deliver some aids to Palestinians who are starving due to Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid.
As a response, the Israeli military is reportedly deploying troops in the area and waiting for the ship’s arrival. However, it did not reveal a specific plan of action.
If those on board “defy orders or provoke” the Israeli army, they may be arrested and transferred to Ashdod port for their deportation.
Greta Thunberg on Board
Operated by activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the crew includes Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists.
“We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying,” Thunberg said.
The mission also seeks to raise “international awareness” over the ongoing humanitarian crisis. “Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. And no matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide,” she added.
Interestingly, “Game of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent joined the crew. Israel has previously banned Hassan from entering due to her obvious opposition to the Israeli war on Gaza.
“We are breaking the siege of Gaza by sea, but that’s part of a broader strategy of mobilizations that will also attempt to break the siege by land,” said activist Thiago Avila.
Madleen is set to reach Gaza in the next few days.
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