- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to prevent a Freedom Flotilla Coalition aid boat, the Madleen, carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists, from reaching the Gaza Strip, citing the need to maintain a naval blockade to prevent Hamas from importing arms.
- The Madleen, named after a Gazan fisherwoman, departed Sicily last Sunday with 12 activists, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan, aiming to break the sea blockade of Gaza, deliver aid, and raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis.
- Greta Thunberg stated aboard the Madleen that the activists are committed to doing everything they can for the Palestinian people, stepping up where governments have failed.
- An attempt by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza last month failed after another vessel was attacked by drones in international waters off Malta, with the group blaming Israel for the attack.
- The Gaza conflict, intensified by the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, has resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza's Health Ministry, displacement of 90 per cent of Gaza's population, and near-total dependence on international aid for approximately 2 million residents.
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