10 hours ago
Aid boat carrying Thunberg and other activists to Gaza intercepted
Activists on board the Madleen vessel en route to Gaza, to provide humanitarian goods, say they have been intercepted by Israeli officials.
Posting on Telegram, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) campaign organisation announced "connection has been lost" on the Madleen.
A photo of people sitting with their hands up in life jackets was uploaded.
Concern first mounted overnight for the safety of the Freedom Flotilla's Madleen crew after alarms went off on the boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists en route to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the situation caused panic and led many of them to take cover and put on life jackets in preparation for an intervention.
In a post on social media, it wrote, 'Alarm has been sounded on the Madleen. Life jackets are on, preparing for interception.'
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on occupied territories, who claimed to be in contact with the flotilla's communication room in Catania, noted that around five vessels had been circling the aid boat, and two drones hovered over the vessel.
On Sunday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel wouldn't allow anyone to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, which he said was aimed at preventing Hamas from importing arms.
'To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propagandists — I will say this clearly: You should turn back, because you will not make it to Gaza,' he said in a statement.
Climate activist Thunberg is one of 12 activists on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition-run Madleen.
The boat left Sicily last Sunday on a mission to provide humanitarian goods and lift the naval blockade of Gaza while bringing attention to the escalating humanitarian situation two months into the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In May, the Freedom Flotilla's attempt to reach Gaza by sea failed when two drones struck one of the group's ships as it was cruising in international waters off Malta.
The said attack damaged the frontal part of the vessel, which the group blamed on Israel, a claim that Israel strongly refuted.
Portugal defeated Spain in penalty kicks 5- 3 to win the UEFA Nations League final late on Sunday after both sides failed to score in extra time following a showdown that ended 2-2.
After Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, and Goncalo Ramos all smoothly scored their penalties, Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved Spain's Álvaro Morata's spot kick before Neves converted his team's fifth to seal the win.
The win marks the second Nations League trophy for Portugal after lifting the inaugural edition in 2019.
Its victory against Spain, the reigning European champions, was hard-fought, as the Seleção had come back twice from behind.
Cristiano Ronaldo sent the match to extra time when he equalised in the 61st minute with his record-extending 138th goal for Portugal.
The 40-year-old Ronaldo went off to a standing ovation and a hug from coach Roberto Martínez in the 88th.
The keenly contested final seemed destined for Spain after Mikel Oyarzabal had given Spain a 2-1 halftime lead. Oyarzabal squeezed the ball past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 45th minute after Pedri played him through on goal.
It was also Spain who drew the first blood after Martin Zubimendi broke the deadlock in the 21st minute with a tap-in when Portugal's defence failed to deal with Lamine Yamal's cross.
Five minutes later, Portugal responded with Nuno Mendes levelling by drilling a low shot inside the far post.
Lamine Yamal, the Spanish sensation and favourite to win the Ballon d'Or, was mostly marked out of the game by Portugal full-back Mendes, ensuring Yamal could pose no major threat before being subbed off in extra time.
Earlier on Sunday, Kylian Mbappé led France to defeat host Germany 2-0 in Stuttgart, securing third place.
The Real Madrid forward helped Les Bleus bounce back from a sluggish first half by scoring one goal and setting up another for Michael Olise.
The goal was Mbappe's 50th for France in international competition.
