Swedish Activist Greta Thunberg on Aid Mission to Gaza
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, 22, was detained by Israeli forces early Monday while aboard an aid ship headed to Gaza. The ship, called the Madleen, was part of a mission to deliver food and medical supplies to help people suffering during the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.
Who Was on the Ship?
Greta was joined by other human rights supporters, including Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament. They were traveling with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a group that sends aid to Gaza.
What Happened at Sea?
According to the FFC, the ship was intercepted in international waters by the Israeli military. The group said that the ship was attacked, and the crew was taken by force. Greta Thunberg shared a video message before the interception, saying, “We have been kidnapped in international waters by Israeli forces.”
Israel’s Response
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed it stopped the ship and took the passengers into custody. In a statement posted online, the MFA called the ship a “selfie yacht” and accused the group of trying to get media attention instead of helping Gaza.
Israel said the passengers were safe, unharmed, and would be sent back to their home countries. Photos shared by the MFA showed Israeli soldiers giving food and water to Greta and the others.
Why Was the Ship Stopped?
Israel explained that the waters off Gaza are under a naval blockade, which means ships are not allowed to enter without permission. The government said it has the legal right to stop unauthorized vessels to prevent weapons or illegal supplies from reaching Hamas.
Aid Situation in Gaza
The FFC and Greta Thunberg said the mission was necessary because not enough aid is reaching people in Gaza. The International Food Policy Research Institute recently warned that 2 million people in Gaza are facing a serious food crisis.
World leaders from the UK, France, and Canada also called the situation in Gaza “intolerable” in a joint statement last month.
Israel Defends Its Actions
The MFA said the amount of aid on the ship was very small and would be delivered through official channels. It also said the group’s mission was more about publicity than real help.
“While Greta and others tried to make headlines with a tiny aid ship, more than 1,200 trucks with food and supplies entered Gaza from Israel in the last two weeks,” the MFA stated.
Final Note
Greta Thunberg and the other passengers are now safe and on their way back. The story has sparked more debate about how to get help to people in Gaza and whether activists are doing the right thing.
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