Israel Vows to Stop Greta Thunberg's Flotilla Reaching Gaza
Israel won't allow a flotilla of activists — including Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg — sailing toward the Gaza Strip to reach the coastal enclave, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday.
Katz said no one will be permitted to breach the naval blockade that's primarily intended to prevent the transfer of weapons to Hamas.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
35 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Greta Thunberg Says She Has Been Kidnapped by Israeli Forces-What We Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid vessel on Monday and detained its passengers, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, amid ongoing restrictions on access to the Palestinian territory. Why It Matters The civilian vessel, named Madleen and operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was stopped in international waters. The Israeli military stated that the interception was part of enforcement measures related to its longstanding naval blockade of Gaza. The FFC said the group was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid, including food, baby formula and medical supplies. According to Israel's Foreign Ministry, the Madleen was redirected to the Israeli port of Ashdod, and the passengers would be returned to their countries of origin. The ministry released a video showing the activists wearing life vests and receiving food and water. In a statement posted online, it described the ship as a "selfie yacht" and said the aid would be transferred to Gaza through established procedures. Greta Thunberg meets with journalists in Catania, Italy on June 1, 2025, ahead of departure to Gaza. Greta Thunberg meets with journalists in Catania, Italy on June 1, 2025, ahead of departure to Gaza. /Salvatore Cavalli/AP Photo What To Know In a pre-recorded video released by the FFC, Thunberg said: "If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel." The FFC had advised participants to prepare for interception and recorded messages in advance. SOS! the volunteers on 'Madleen' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces. Greta Thunberg is a Swedish citizen. Pressure their foreign ministries and help us keep them safe! Web: X : @SweMFA FB : @SweMFA IG : swedishmfa#AllEyesOnMadeleen — Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 9, 2025 The Israeli government stated that unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are "unlawful" and "undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts." Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza and that the passengers would be shown a video of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks upon their arrival in Israel. Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade of Gaza since 2007, following the takeover of the territory by Hamas. Israel says the restrictions are aimed at preventing the import of weapons and materials used by militant groups; and that all passengers "are safe and unharmed." Hamas, which governs Gaza, called the interception "a flagrant violation of international law" and said the activists were "civilian volunteers acting out of humanitarian motives." The group has demanded their immediate release and called on the United Nations and other international organizations to intervene. All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over. — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025 The United Nations has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where more than 2 million people reside. A UN-backed assessment warned in April 2025 that one in five residents faced starvation. The Gaza Health Ministry reports more than 54,000 fatalities in the territory since the conflict escalated in October 2023. Israel's campaign followed a Hamas-led attack in which 1,200 people were killed and over 250 were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. The FFC, founded in 2010, has organized multiple attempts to challenge the blockade. Last month, another vessel in its fleet, the Conscience, was damaged in what the group alleged was a drone strike off the coast of Malta. The Israeli military did not comment on that incident. The Madleen had departed Sicily on June 1. What Happens Next? Israeli authorities have indicated that the detained activists will be processed and repatriated. As of Monday, they were being transported to Ashdod.
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Israeli forces halt aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg
Israeli troops have intercepted a ship trying to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and have detained activists onboard, including Greta Thunberg. Ms Thunberg spoke to ITV News before the interception, saying she anticipated the move from Israeli forces. .
Bloomberg
44 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Vladislav Zubok on What the Cold War Actually Was
By and Joe Weisenthal Save Listen to Odd Lots on Apple Podcasts Listen to Odd Lots on Spotify Subscribe to the newsletter These days, it's common to talk about the emergence of a New Cold War that exists between the US and China. It's debatable whether or not this is a useful framing. But in order to answer the question, it requires that you have some conception of what the original Cold War actually was. Vladislav Zubok, a professor at the London School of Economics, has a new book out on exactly this question. In The World of the Cold War: 1945-1991, Zubok attempts to explain how we should understand this period, which he sees as both an ideological battle, as well as a geo-strategic one — and also a battle that the two main actors (the US and the USSR) saw very differently at the time. In addition to understanding the contours of that tension, we discuss its applicability today, as the new administration attempts to re-arrange our relationship with China and the Middle East, as well as other rivals, allies, and partners.
