Israel 'prepared for action' as Greta Thunberg and more activists sail to Gaza
As climate activist Greta Thunberg sails to Gaza on an aid boat, Israel has stated it is "prepared to take action." A total of 12 activists, including Thunberg and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham are onboard the Madleen ship to deliver aid and humanitarian assistance to Gaza Strip.
Speaking to the Times of London, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Brig General Effie Defrin stated that the Israeli military is "prepared to take action" to prevent the aid ship's arrival.
"The navy operates day and night to protect Israel's maritime space and borders at sea. We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly," he told the publication.
ALSO READ | UN chief calls for probe into deaths near Gaza aid site
In response to the IDF's warning, the activists on board stated it 'strongly condemns Israel's declared intent to attack Madleen', by calling the aid carrying ship 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,' the statement added further as per AFP.
The Madleen ship, launched by Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is expected to reach the Gaza Strip by June 7.
The ship, named after Gaza's first and only fisherwoman, left Catania, Sicily, on June 1. Forensic Architecture uses a Garmin live tracker on board to continuously monitor the ship's location live.
As of the latest update, the ship was 600km (375 miles) from Sicily as of June 4.
The ship is reportedly carrying fruit juices, milk, rice, tinned food and protein bars to deliver to Gaza as the Palestinian territory plunges deeper into a humanitarian crisis.
A total of 12 activists are on board. These include -
Along with the activists, Irish actor and Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham is also on board the Madleen ship.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Hamas' FIERY Attack On IDF After Netanyahu's Gaza Gang Admission: '5 Israeli Troops Killed In 1 Hit'
Hamas appeared to make Israeli soldiers pay a heavy price on Friday after Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that the Jewish state was arming gangs to oppose the Palestinian militant group in Gaza. The Resistance News Network said on Telegram that 2 'major security incidents' took place in Khan Younis. In one such incident, a booby-trapped building targeting 'enemy soldiers' was blown up. The attack reportedly resulted in the death of 5 soldiers and injured over 12 more. RNN shared a video showing Israeli helicopters arriving to transport the casualties in Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas ally Al-Quds Brigades shared a video of an attack in Beit Lahia. Watch. Read More
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
'Never imagined detention in US': Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil pleads for release; says arrest caused 'irreparable harm' to family, career
Mahmoud Khalil (File photo) Columbia University alumnus, currently facing deportation due to his pro-Palestinian activism, has detailed the significant "irreparable harm" due to his ongoing detention to his personal and professional life, while a federal judge considers his release. In court documents made public on Thursday, Mahmoud Khalil described how the 'most immediate and visceral harms' due to his detention in Louisiana was him missing the birth of his firstborn in April, reported the Associated Press. "Instead of holding my wife's hand in the delivery room, I was crouched on a detention centre floor, whispering through a crackling phone line as she laboured alone," the 30-year-old legal US resident wrote. "When I heard my son's first cries, I buried my face in my arms so no one would see me weep." The detention has severely affected his professional prospects, with Oxfam International withdrawing their employment offer for a policy adviser position. Additionally, his mother's visa application to assist with his newborn's care is currently under federal scrutiny. "As someone who fled prosecution in Syria for my political beliefs, for who I am, I never imagined myself to be in immigration detention, here in the United States," he wrote. "Why should protesting this Israel government's indiscriminate killing of thousands of innocent Palestinians result in the erosion of my constitutional rights?" The Department of Homeland Security's spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, suggested Khalil utilise the CBP Home app for voluntary deportation, offering $1,000 and complimentary travel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Despite Khalil's green card status, the Trump administration is proceeding with its revocation. His lawyers submitted a 13-page statement alongside various legal declarations highlighting the extensive consequences of his arrest. His wife, Dr Noor Abdalla, a US citizen, described managing childbirth and early parenthood without her husband's support. Columbia's academic community expressed concerns about the dampening effect on campus activism, noting increased hesitancy to participate in protests or groups critical of the Trump administration. Recently, New Jersey Federal Judge Michael Farbiarz indicated that the administration's deportation effort likely contravenes the Constitution. Farbiarz noted that using potential threats to US foreign policy as justification for removal could enable arbitrary enforcement. Khalil's arrest occurred on March 8 in his university accommodation's lobby, marking the first detention under Trump's expanded measures against students involved in Gaza war protests.
India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
Israel emerges as leading global arms exporter; names of buyers will surprise you, they are..., India is...
(Representational image: New Delhi: Israel's military exports have set a new record. This record has been made at a time when Israel is fighting wars on multiple fronts simultaneously. According to a new report, Israel has sold more weapons to other countries in 2024 than ever before. Currently, Israel is engaged in a war in Gaza. Meanwhile, it is conducting airstrikes and special military operations in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. International pressure is also mounting on Israel to end the war in Gaza. Despite this, the country is not willing to back down and is fiercely combating its enemies. According to new data from Israel's Ministry of Defense reported by Eurasian Times, Israel's defense exports reached a record $14.8 billion in 2024. This surpassed the previous high of $13 billion in 2023. Israel recorded a healthy year-on-year growth of 13% in arms sales, making it clear that its defense exports have remained unaffected by the growing global criticism and isolation due to the ongoing war in Gaza and allegations of human rights violations, and even genocide. Israel's Ministry of Defense stated, 'This is the highest figure to date and the fourth consecutive year a new record has been set for Israeli defense exports.' During its longest war, Israel's increasing arms sales stand in stark contrast to Russia, where defense exports have collapsed during the war in Ukraine. Data suggests that Israel may have expanded into some former Russian arms export markets. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has calculated that from 2019 to 2023, there has been a reduction of less than half in the export of Russian weapons compared to the previous five years. According to data, Europe is the largest market for Israeli arms exports, accounting for 54% of Israel's defense exports. In 2023, exports of Israeli weapons to Europe were 35%. According to the Ministry of Defense, European countries purchased Israeli military products worth approximately 8 billion US dollars in 2024, while in 2023 it was 4.6 billion US dollars. The main reason for this is the Russia-Ukraine war, as Europe is increasing its defense spending and trying to replenish its dwindling military stockpiles. The historic deal between Germany and Israel for the Arrow 3 air defense system has made a significant contribution to the sale of these weapons. Israel Aerospace Industries signed a $3.8 billion agreement with Germany for the Arrow 3 missile defense system, making it the largest defense deal in Israel's history. In Asia, India is a major market for Israeli weapons. According to the SIPRI database, between 2020 and 2024, India was the world's second-largest arms importer after Ukraine. And after Russia and France, Israel was the third-largest arms exporter to India. During this period, Israel supplied 13% of all arms imports to India.
