Israeli naval forces intercepted a British-flagged vessel carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, with officials announcing the crew would be compelled to view footage of Hamas’ October 7 attack.
The vessel Madleen was seized in international waters during the early morning hours of Sunday after being shadowed by Israeli speedboats and drones throughout the night.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the military’s “quick and safe takeover” of the ship.
Katz stated the crew would be shown “the video of the horrors” of the Hamas-led assault on Israel once brought to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
He described it as “appropriate” for the activists to witness “what atrocities [Hamas] committed against women, the elderly, and children, and against whom Israel is fighting to defend itself.”
The footage reportedly contains 43 minutes of uncensored material showing people being massacred and bodies mutilated during the October 7 attack, according to the Times of Israel.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirmed Israeli forces “forcibly intercepted” the vessel at approximately 3:02 AM Central European Time as it approached Gaza waters.
The ship had departed from Italy on June 1 with the stated goal of raising awareness about food shortages in the Palestinian territory.
Thunberg recorded a message before the interception, stating: “If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters.”
The video was later shared by the coalition organizing the mission, the Daily Mail outlined.
The United Nations has characterized Gaza as the “hungriest place on Earth” following 21 months of conflict.
UN officials have warned that the territory’s entire population faces the risk of famine.
Israeli authorities had previously announced their intention to prevent the “unauthorized” vessel from breaching the naval blockade surrounding Gaza.
The blockade has remained in place for years prior to the current Israel-Hamas war.
Daily Mail noted that the ship came “under assault in international waters” before its seizure, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The organization reported that quadcopters surrounded the vessel, spraying it with a white paint-like substance while jamming communications and playing disturbing sounds over the radio.
Activist Yasmin Acar documented the white substance on the ship’s deck through video footage.
She later reported that the material was affecting her eyes, though the exact nature of the substance remained unclear.
Israel’s foreign ministry released photographs showing the activists wearing orange life jackets and being offered water and sandwiches following the interception.
Officials described the vessel as a “selfie yacht” carrying “celebrity” activists.
The foreign ministry announced that the small amount of aid aboard the ship would be transferred to Gaza through what it termed “real humanitarian channels.”
Officials emphasized that all crew members remained “safe and unharmed” and would be expected to return to their home countries.
Katz defended the blockade on Sunday, stating it was necessary to prevent Palestinian militants from importing weapons into the territory.
The interception drew criticism from international observers who characterized it as a violation of international law.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese called on the British government to seek “full clarification” of the ship’s status and work to secure the “immediate release” of the vessel and crew.
Green Party MP Ellie Chowns condemned the seizure as “utterly unacceptable,” stating that “unarmed civilian crew were seized by Israeli military forces while sailing in international waters.”
She demanded the immediate release of the civilians and delivery of their humanitarian cargo.
The post Israeli Forces Seize Gaza-Bound Ship Carrying Greta Thunberg, Force Crew to Watch Oct. 7 Attack Videos: Report appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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