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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Sunday to prevent an aid boat carrying Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists from reaching Gaza shores.
"I have instructed the Israeli army to act to prevent the 'Madleen' hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza - and to take whatever measures are necessary to that end," Katz said in a statement.
Katz called Thunberg "antisemitic" and said, "To Greta the antisemite and her companions, Hamas propaganda mouthpieces, I say clearly: turn back because you will not reach Gaza."
Israeli Channel 12 reported that the Israeli Navy is preparing to intercept the humanitarian vessel "Madleen" as it approaches Gaza waters, with plans to forcibly redirect it to Ashdod port.
The military aims to halt the ship before it enters Gaza territorial waters, citing enforcement of the naval blockade. The activists on board will be handed over to Israeli authorities for deportation, according to Channel 12.
The 18-meter sailing vessel "Madleen," operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Italy on June 1 with the stated aims of delivering humanitarian aid and breaking the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
The ship is carrying urgently needed supplies, including baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, women's sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and children's prosthetics, according to organizers.
Besides Thunberg, the 12 activists include Irish actor Liam Cunningham and French European Parliament member Rima Hassan.
Organizers announced Sunday that the ship had entered Egyptian waters on its way to Gaza and had passed through Alexandria, northern Egypt.
The International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza warned that Israel is attempting to block the ship's location and signal.
"It seems Israel is jamming our colleagues' location and signal on the Madleen vessel. This is serious," the committee stated.
"Israel is preparing to commit a war crime in the middle of international waters," organizers said.
Yasemin Acar, an activist aboard the Madleen, confirmed that "the communication blackout has officially begun."
"If you don't hear from us in the coming hours, it means we have been cut off from the world. Remember, we are doing this for Gaza," she said.
Another ship operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the "Conscience," was targeted by drone attacks off the Malta coast on May 2.
Israeli state broadcaster KAN reported last week that Tel Aviv had reversed its initial decision to allow the ship to pass, withdrawing approval under the pretext of "setting a precedent" for future humanitarian aid missions.
"Israel will not allow anyone to break the naval blockade of Gaza, which is aimed at preventing weapons from reaching Hamas—a murderous terrorist group holding our hostages and committing war crimes," Katz said.
"Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or support terror groups—by sea, air, or land," he added.
The war gained new momentum after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,218 deaths on the Israeli side.
The health ministry in Gaza said Sunday that the overall toll for the Gaza war had reached 54,880, the majority civilians.
Aid agencies have warned about the risk of famine among Gaza's more than 2 million inhabitants.
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