Critics denounce Israeli 'warnings' as humanitarian ship heads to Gaza

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The Madleen, a small sailboat operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
Environmental activist Greta Thunberg is among approximately a dozen people aboard the vessel.
Israel’s military stated it’s prepared to “protect” its maritime borders, implying readiness to intercept the ship.

International activists seeking to sail an aid boat to Gaza have condemned what they called Israel’s threats and “declared intent to attack” their vessel as it crosses the Mediterranean.

Israel’s military said on Tuesday it was ready to “protect” the country’s seas, after the vessel — the Madleen, sailed by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition — left Sicily on Sunday carrying around a dozen people, including environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

“The navy operates day and night to protect Israel’s maritime space and borders at sea,” army spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said.

Asked about the aid vessel, he said: “For this case as well, we are prepared.” He added: “We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly.”

In a statement on Wednesday, the activist coalition said it “strongly condemns Israel’s declared intent to attack Madleen”, calling it a “threat”.

“Madleen carries humanitarian aid and international human rights defenders in direct challenge to Israel’s illegal, decades-long blockade, and ongoing genocide” in Gaza, it said.

Israel has come under increasing international criticism over the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory, where the United Nations warned in May that the entire population was at risk of famine.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, launched in 2010, is an international movement supporting Palestinians, combining humanitarian aid with political protest against the blockade on Gaza.

The Madleen is a small sailboat reportedly carrying fruit juices, milk, rice, tinned food and protein bars.

In early May, the Freedom Flotilla ship Conscience was damaged in international waters off Malta as it headed to Gaza, with the activists saying they suspected an Israeli drone attack.

Greta Thunberg stands with other activists ahead of their voyage to Gaza.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg is among those onboard the ship. Source: AP / Salvatore Cavalli

Israel has not responded to requests for comment on the incident.

Israeli forces have attacked the Gaza Freedom Flotilla before, however, in an infamous 2010 incident when commandos raided six civilian ships carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid in defiance of the naval blockade of Gaza.

The soldiers killed nine of the activists and wounded 30, with a tenth activist later dying in hospital.

Ten of the commandos were also wounded in the frenzy.

A UN report said all activist deaths were caused by gunshots, finding the killing of at least six of the passengers “consistent with an extra-legal, arbitrary and summary execution”.

Gaza 'Freedom Flotilla' hit by drone attacks on humanitarian mission image

The Conscience and a number of other ships are hoping to break the two-month-long total blockade of Gaza which has now seen the region of around two million people deprived of almost all food and medical supplies.

The coalition said that on Tuesday evening, off the coast of the Greek island of Crete, the Madleen “was approached and circled by a drone, followed, several hours later by two additional drones”.

It said it was later informed these were surveillance drones operated by the Greek coastguard.

Israel recently eased a more than two-month blockade on war-ravaged Gaza, but the aid community has urged it to allow in more food and at a faster rate.

— With additional reporting by Reuters