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Four killed by gunfire near Gaza aid centre, local health workers say

Four killed by gunfire near Gaza aid centre, local health workers say

BBC News19 hours ago

At least four Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire as they were heading to an aid distribution centre, health workers in Gaza have said.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops had directed warning shots after issuing a verbal challenge at a group that was moving towards them and was deemed a threat.It is the latest deadly incident to occur near aid distribution points in Gaza that have been set up by a new organisation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is backed by Israel and the US.The IDF said it was aware of reports that people had been injured, adding: "The number... does not align with the information currently held by the IDF."
The latest incident occurred before dawn near an aid distribution site close to Rafah in the south of Gaza.Palestinian paramedics said they had evacuated four people who were killed, as crowds gathered in the hope the aid centre would open and they could get food.One woman said her husband was shot in the head as he was waiting to collect food for their family.The Israeli army has declared that Palestinians should only move to and from the GHF distribution sites between 06:00 and 18:00 local time - and that at all other times it should be considered an "active combat zone". The GHF has said it opened three sites on Sunday - one in central Gaza at 06:00 and then two more in Rafah at noon.
Israel recently began to allow limited aid into Gaza after a three-month blockade, prioritising distribution through the GHF. But the foundation has been mired in controversy, after several deadly incidents took place during its first week of operation. More than 60 Palestinians were killed by gunfire over the foundation's first three days distributing aid, according to reports from medics and local health authorities.Multiple witnesses blamed Israeli soldiers for the killings.The IDF said it had fired warning shots on the first two days and shot near to Palestinian suspects advancing towards their positions on the third, adding that it is investigating the incidents.On Saturday, six Palestinians were killed and several others were wounded by Israeli gunfire, the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency said. The Israeli military again said it fired warning shots at suspects who approached them in a threatening manner.

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Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid ship diverted by Israeli forces as activist says she was 'kidnapped'
Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid ship diverted by Israeli forces as activist says she was 'kidnapped'

Daily Record

time37 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid ship diverted by Israeli forces as activist says she was 'kidnapped'

Greta Thunberg has released a video saying she and other activists have been 'intercepted and kidnapped' in international waters. In a distressing video, Greta Thunberg made an urgent plea for assistance, saying that she and fellow activists "have been intercepted and kidnapped" in international waters. The environmental advocate was among 13 activists aboard the Madleen, a vessel under the British flag run by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians. The ship was seized as contact was lost following an interception by Israeli commandos on the Mediterranean Sea, reports the Mirror. ‌ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel has confirmed the boat was escorted to Ashdod port, situated in the country's southern district, deriding the ship as a "selfie yacht". The ministry stated: "It is a media gimmick for publicity (which includes less than a single truckload of aid) - a 'selfie yacht'." ‌ Greta, 22, shared a video on X amidst reports of the incident, in which she raises the alarm that she and her companions required immediate support. The Swedish activist fervently expressed: "My name is Greta Thunberg, and I am from Sweden. If you see this video, we are being intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel." She continued with a call to action: "I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible." The footage was reportedly filmed prior to this morning's skirmishes, with activists instructed to avoid mobile phone use and fortunately recorded before they were allegedly confronted with "a white chemical" attack. Reports from the scene indicated some individuals complained of "eyes burning", an event speculated to have occurred in Mediterranean waters. However, at approximately 4:30 am local time, Israeli forces redirected the ship towards Ashdod. Subsequently, a spokesperson for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement: "With recent reports of a 'celebrities yacht' heading to Gaza, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to clarify the following: The maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to unauthorised vessels under a legal naval blockade, consistent with international law. ‌ "The yacht is claiming that it is delivering humanitarian aid. In fact, it is a media gimmick for publicity (which includes less than a single truckload of aid) - a 'selfie yacht'. "Humanitarian aid is delivered regularly and effectively via different channels and routes, and is transferred through established distribution mechanisms. Over the past two weeks, more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza. "The Gaza maritime zone remains an active conflict area, and Hamas has previously exploited sea routes for terrorist attacks, including the October 7th massacre. Unauthorised attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts. We call on all actors to act responsibly and to channel humanitarian aid through legitimate, coordinated mechanisms, not through provocation."

Israel says it will screen October 7 attacks to Greta Thunberg and other activists after Gaza-bound aid boat 'diverted'
Israel says it will screen October 7 attacks to Greta Thunberg and other activists after Gaza-bound aid boat 'diverted'

Sky News

timean hour ago

  • Sky News

Israel says it will screen October 7 attacks to Greta Thunberg and other activists after Gaza-bound aid boat 'diverted'

The Israeli military will show Greta Thunberg and other activists footage of the 7 October attacks after a Gaza-bound aid boat was diverted to Israel, the country's foreign minister has said. Early on Monday, the Israeli foreign ministry said that the British-flagged yacht Madleen - operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) - "is safely making its way to the shores of Israel". All passengers were safe and unharmed, the ministry added, sharing footage of the activists being handed sandwiches and water. In a statement via his spokesperson, defence minister Israel Katz said that he has instructed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to screen footage of the 7 October attacks for those aboard when they arrive at Ashdod Port. "Antisemitic Greta and her Hamas -supporting friends should see exactly what the Hamas terrorist organisation - which they came to support and act on behalf of - truly is," he said. "They should see the atrocities committed against women, the elderly, and children, and understand whom Israel is fighting to defend itself." He then added, "I commend the IDF for its swift and safe takeover" of the vessel, and said the Israeli military "will continue its just and moral fight against the Hamas murderers until their defeat, the release of all hostages, and the full restoration of Israel's security". Israel's foreign ministry said earlier that those aboard the Madleen "are expected to return to their home countries," and that the humanitarian aid aboard the ship would be transferred to Gaza through established channels. Ms Thunberg was "safe and in good spirits" while en route to Israel, it added, calling the vessel "the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities'". The FFC claimed the passengers on the yacht had been "kidnapped by Israeli forces" and released pre-recorded messages from them after previously saying that the "Israeli army had boarded" the vessel. Climate campaigner Ms Thunberg, 22, was one of a dozen activists aboard the Madleen, which set sail from Sicily on 1 May on a mission aiming to break Israel's sea blockade. Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament, who is of Palestinian descent, was also on the boat. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israel's policies towards Palestinians. Ms Hassan wrote on X as the FFC's yacht was allegedly surrounded by other vessels: "The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2am." The diversion of the Madleen came after Mr Katz said that he had instructed the IDF to prevent the vessel from reaching the shore and to "take whatever measures necessary". Addressing Ms Thunberg and the other activists on Sunday, he said: "You should turn back - because you will not reach Gaza." Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month after a three-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas and preventing the group from importing arms. But humanitarian workers have warned of famine unless there is an end to the blockade and the 20-month war, which began after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, that killed more than 1,200 people. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel's military campaign. 2:38 An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group's vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship. Francesca Albanese, United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, also urged other boats to challenge the Gaza blockade. She said on social media: "Madleen's journey may have ended, but the mission isn't over.

Gaza-bound aid boat with Greta Thunberg onboard seized
Gaza-bound aid boat with Greta Thunberg onboard seized

The Independent

time2 hours ago

  • The Independent

Gaza-bound aid boat with Greta Thunberg onboard seized

Israeli forces seized a charity vessel, the British-flagged yacht Madleen, carrying Greta Thunberg and 11 others attempting to breach the naval blockade of Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC)-operated vessel aimed to deliver symbolic aid, including baby formula and rice, to Gaza and highlight the humanitarian crisis. The FFC reported the boat was boarded overnight before reaching Gaza, which Israel's foreign ministry later confirmed. Israel's foreign ministry dismissed the Madleen as a "selfie yacht" and the mission as a publicity stunt, stating all passengers were safe and unharmed and would be returned home. The ministry added that the passengers were provided with sandwiches and water.

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