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The Israeli Navy is positioning to intercept a British-flagged humanitarian vessel approaching Gaza's territorial waters, with plans to redirect the ship to Israel's Ashdod port, Israeli Channel 12 reported Sunday.
The vessel Madleen, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departed from Sicily on June 6 carrying humanitarian supplies including baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, medical equipment and children's prosthetics destined for Gaza's population. Twelve activists are aboard the ship, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has directed military forces to prevent the vessel from reaching Gaza, citing enforcement of the naval blockade imposed on the territory.
"I instructed the IDF to act so that the Madleen ... does not reach Gaza," Katz said in a statement. "I am clearly telling the anti-Semitic Greta and Hamas propaganda spokespeople: Turn back, because you will not reach Gaza."
Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the military's naval commando unit, Shayetet 13, has conducted training exercises for what an unnamed Israeli security official described as seizing the vessel "in a pleasant manner" before detaining and deporting those onboard. The military anticipates the operation will be broadcast live and is working to avoid any appearance of using force.
The International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza alleged Sunday that Israeli forces are attempting to jam the ship's location signals and tracking systems. The organization called the planned interception "a war crime in the middle of international waters" and published electronic links for live-tracking the vessel.
Israeli officials have expressed concern that allowing the ship to reach Gaza would establish a precedent for future attempts to breach the blockade. KAN reported last week that Israeli authorities initially approved the vessel's passage before reversing the decision.
The current mission follows an incident in May when another Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessel, the Conscience, was reportedly targeted by drones off Malta's coast.
Israel has maintained a naval blockade of Gaza while conducting military operations in the territory since October 2023. According to Palestinian health authorities, nearly 54,900 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, with aid organizations warning of potential famine conditions among Gaza's 2.1 million residents.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict. Israel also faces genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice regarding its military operations in the territory.
The Gaza Government Media Office accused Israeli forces of transforming U.S.-operated aid distribution centers into "deadly ambush" sites following another mass shooting of Palestinians seeking humanitarian assistance.
The office confirmed that at least 13 Palestinians were killed and 153 wounded after Israeli troops opened fire on crowds near two aid distribution points – one east of Rafah and another near the Natzarim separation line.
Since the centers began operating on May 27, the attacks have resulted in a total of 125 killed, 736 injured, and nine missing, according to the office. The statement described the aid zones, established in Israeli military-controlled areas, as "human slaughterhouses" where starving Palestinians are lured and then shot dead.
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