Israel Blocks Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg to Gaza

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered the military to prevent the aid ship Madleen, carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists including actor Liam Cunningham, from reaching the Gaza Strip. The vessel, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departed Sicily with the aim of breaking Israel's naval blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid amid a worsening crisis in the territory. Katz described the activists as "Hamas propaganda mouthpieces" and emphasized that the blockade is intended to stop weapons from reaching Hamas, which Israel considers a terrorist group responsible for attacks on Israeli civilians. The group’s previous attempt to reach Gaza was thwarted when another vessel was attacked by drones near Malta, an attack the activists blamed on Israel. Despite some aid being allowed into Gaza last month after a three-month total blockade, humanitarian organizations warn of famine unless the blockade and ongoing war end. The activists, including Rima Hassan, a Palestinian-descended European Parliament member barred from entering Israel, aim to spotlight the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza as the conflict continues into its 21st month.