Gaza mission curbed: IDF intercepts, boards Greta Thunberg's yacht; group calls detention 'arbitrary' and 'unlawful'
(Source: freedomflotilla)
A civilian vessel carrying Swedish activist
Greta Thunberg
and other volunteers was intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday in international waters.
According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which organised the mission, the ship Madleen was attacked at 3:02 am CET.
The vessel was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of the Israeli naval blockade.
The group claims the ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed crew abducted, and its cargo of food, baby formula and medical supplies confiscated.
'Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,' said Huwaida Arraf, a human rights attorney and Freedom Flotilla organiser.
'This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ's binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.
'
Footage posted on the Madleen's Telegram channel shows activists putting on life jackets in anticipation of the interception.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In
elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill
Learn More
Undo
Israel's military reportedly boarded the vessel after warning it to change course.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz confirmed the order to prevent the ship from reaching Gaza. 'I have instructed the IDF to act so that the hate flotilla does not reach the shores of Gaza and to take all necessary measures to that end,' he said. 'To the antisemitic Greta and her friends who echo Hamas propaganda, I say clearly: You'd better turn back – because you will not reach Gaza.'
The Israeli foreign ministry had earlier called the flotilla a 'media gimmick' disguised as a humanitarian mission. 'The maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to unauthorised vessels under a legal naval blockade, consistent with international law,' the ministry posted on X. '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'.
'
This is not the first time the FFC has faced military action. The group says a previous vessel, Conscience, was bombed by an Israeli drone in European waters, injuring four civilians and leaving the ship disabled and on fire.
In response, the coalition has called for the immediate release of all detained volunteers, the delivery of the confiscated aid directly to Palestinians, and accountability for what they call a pattern of unprovoked military aggression.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump's hand bruise becomes internet obsession — why are these marks showing up more frequently?
People noticed another big bruise on Donald Trump's right hand again, it's showing up often now. The bruise was first seen in Spring 2024, during Trump's court case with Stormy Daniels in Manhattan, as per reports. In February, the bruise looked worse after a busy schedule of handshakes following his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. In April, it showed up again when Trump held a football at a Commander-in-Chief Trophy ceremony in Washington, D.C., according to the report by Daily Beast. Most recently, the bruise was visible at Fort Bragg military base, during a speech about the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. During that White House speech, cameras caught a brownish patch under his knuckles when he raised his hand. according to a reports Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo While ranting about Joe Biden in the podcast, the bruise was seen again, this time it looked like makeup was used to cover it. In her article, Miranda Devine wrote that Trump gets bruises from hard handshakes from supporters and gives them back warmly, even though he's a 'reformed germaphobe', as per reports. White House blamed handshakes Dr. Stuart Fischer, a doctor from New York, said in February that handshakes could cause bruising, especially at Trump's age. Dr. Fischer also said it might be Osteoarthritis, which affects joints and bones, and Trump's old age, 78, is a factor too, as per the report by Daily Mail. Live Events Back in February, the White House said excessive handshaking was the reason behind the hand bruise. Karoline Leavitt, Trump's press secretary, told NBC News that the bruises were a result of 'constantly working and shaking hands all day'. Trump himself told Time magazine that the bruises come from 'shaking hands with thousands of people' After the bruise photos went viral again, people online questioned Trump's health, and the White House has not commented yet, as stated by the report by Daily Beast. FAQs Q1. Why does Donald Trump have a bruise on his hand? It may be from too many handshakes or age-related health problems. Q2. Is Trump's hand bruise a sign of poor health? Doctors say it could be normal for his age, but it might also point to joint or blood issues.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Goyal discusses trade, FTA prospects with Sweden in push to deepen economic ties
New Delhi: Commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday held wide-ranging discussions with senior Swedish government officials and industry leaders in Stockholm, as part of a broader effort to strengthen India's economic partnership with Europe. The talks focused on expanding bilateral trade, boosting investment flows, and exploring collaboration in emerging sectors such as clean technology and innovation, the commerce ministry said in a statement. Goyal, who is on a five-day tour of Switzerland and Sweden, co-chaired the 21st session of the India–Sweden Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial and Scientific Cooperation, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic ties. According to the ministry, Goyal's meetings in the Swedish capital featured leading Swedish institutions, like LeadIT, Vinnova, the Swedish Energy Agency, the National Space Agency, the National Board of Trade, the Export Credit Agency, Business Sweden, and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India. A dedicated roundtable also explored ways to strengthen the India–Sweden economic corridor, the ministry said. Key areas of discussion included innovation, green transition, advanced technologies, and building resilient supply chains, it added. Goyal has wrapped up the Swiss leg of his tour. Last March, India and the four-nation EFTA – comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – signed a free trade deal to integrate and strengthen supply chains, attract investments and generate new business opportunities. The EFTA has also made a binding commitment to invest $100 billion in India and create one million direct jobs in the next 15 years. Meanwhile, India and the European Union have also stepped up efforts to clinch a long-pending free trade agreement, aiming to forge closer economic ties as global supply chains shift. Negotiations, revived in 2022 after nearly a decade, have gained urgency with both sides seeking reliable trade partners. For India, the EU offers a major export market and investment in clean tech. For the EU, India is a growing economy and strategic hedge against China. Key hurdles remain—such as tariffs, intellectual property, and sustainability standards—but officials are optimistic about a breakthrough by 2025. During his visit to Sweden, Goyal also urged Swedish companies to expand their footprint in India, citing the country's investor-friendly regulations, growing consumer market, skilled workforce, and strong industrial base. Goyal participated in the India–Sweden High-Level Trade and Investment Policy Forum at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. He also held one-on-one meetings with Swedish firms from sectors such as automation, renewable energy, sustainable food systems, maritime technology, and advanced materials. Talks centred on easing land access, building skilling partnerships, and facilitating fast-track clearances.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
UN nuclear watchdog board censures Iran, Tehran reacts with announcement of new enrichment site
The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors on Thursday formally found that Iran isn't complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years, a move that could lead to further tensions and set in motion an effort to restore United Nations sanctions on Tehran later this year. Iran reacted immediately, saying it will establish a new enrichment facility 'in a secure location' and that 'other measures are also being planned.' 'The Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to respond to this political resolution,' the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said in a joint statement. US President Donald Trump previously warned that Israel or America could carry out airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations failed — and some American personnel and their families have begun leaving the region over the tensions, which come ahead of a new round of Iran-US talks Sunday in Oman. In Israel, the US Embassy ordered American government employees and their families to remain in the Tel Aviv area over security concerns. Nineteen countries on the International Atomic Energy Agency's board, which represents the agency's member nations, voted for the resolution, according to diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the outcome of the closed-doors vote. Russia, China and Burkina Faso opposed it, 11 abstained and two did not vote. In the draft resolution seen by The Associated Press, the board of governors renews a call on Iran to provide answers 'without delay' in a long-running investigation into uranium traces found at several locations that Tehran has failed to declare as nuclear sites. Western officials suspect that the uranium traces could provide further evidence that Iran had a secret nuclear weapons program until resolution was put forward by France, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. Speaking to Iranian state television after the vote, the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said that his agency immediately informed the IAEA of 'specific and effective' actions Tehran would take. 'One is the launch of a third secure site' for enrichment, spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said. He did not elaborate on the location, but the organization's chief Mohammad Eslami later described the site as 'already built, prepared, and located in a secure and invulnerable place.' Iran has two underground sites at Fordo and Natanz and has been building tunnels in the mountains near Natanz since suspected Israeli sabotage attacks targeted that facility. The other step would be replacing old centrifuges for advanced ones at Fordo. 'The implication of this is that our production of enriched materials will significantly increase,' Kamalvandi said. According to the draft resolution, 'Iran's many failures to uphold its obligations since 2019 to provide the Agency with full and timely cooperation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undeclared locations in Iran … constitutes non-compliance with its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement.' Under those obligations, which are part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran is legally bound to declare all nuclear material and activities and allow IAEA inspectors to verify that none of it is being diverted from peaceful uses. The draft resolution also finds that the IAEA's 'inability … to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful gives rise to questions that are within the competence of the United Nations Security Council, as the organ bearing the main responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.' The draft resolution made a direct reference to the US-Iran talks, stressing its 'support for a diplomatic solution to the problems posed by the Iranian nuclear program, including the talks between the United States and Iran, leading to an agreement that addresses all international concerns related to Iran's nuclear activities, encouraging all parties to constructively engage in diplomacy.' A senior Western diplomat last week described the resolution as a 'serious step,' but added that Western nations are 'not closing the door to diplomacy on this issue.' However, if Iran fails to cooperate, an extraordinary IAEA board meeting will likely be held in the summer, during which another resolution could get passed that will refer the issue to the Security Council, the diplomat said on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss the issue with the media. The three European nations have repeatedly threatened in the past to reinstate, or 'snapback,' sanctions that have been lifted under the original 2015 Iran nuclear deal if Iran does not provide 'technically credible' answers to the U.N. nuclear watchdog's questions. In a joint statement to the IAEA board of governors, the three European nations said that they would 'spare no efforts to work towards a diplomatic solution' but added that without a satisfying deal, they would 'consider triggering the snapback mechanism to address threats to international peace and security arising from Iran's nuclear program.' The authority to reestablish those sanctions by the complaint of any member of the original 2015 nuclear deal expires in October, putting the West on a clock to exert pressure on Tehran over its program before losing that power. The resolution comes on heels of the IAEA's so-called 'comprehensive report' that was circulated among member states last weekend. In the report, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said that Iran's cooperation with the agency has 'been less than satisfactory' when it comes to uranium traces discovered by agency inspectors at several locations in Iran. One of the sites became known publicly in 2018, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed it at the United Nations and called it a clandestine nuclear warehouse hidden at a rug-cleaning plant. Iran denied this, but in 2019, IAEA inspectors detected the presence of uranium traces there as well as at two other sites. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, who campaigned on reaching out to the West, struck a harder line after the IAEA vote. 'I don't know how to cooperate with the outside world to stop them from doing evil acts and let the people live independently in this country,' Pezeshkian said. 'We will continue down our own path; we will have enrichment.'
