ISRAEL has issued a warning to Greta Thunberg’s so-called Freedom Flotilla as the climate activist aims to sail into Gaza.
The Swede is pulling the dangerous stunt after leaving from Catania, Italy, on Sunday aboard the Madleen.
The vessel, which has on board 11 pro-Palestinian activists, is presently located south of Crete and is headed towards the conflict zone with a minimal, “symbolic” supply of aid.
The young campaigners say they are hoping to “break the siege” and raise “international awareness” of the humanitarian crisis on the Gaza Strip.
Thunberg, 22, has posted on social media with a Palestine flag and wearing a keffiyeh scarf while on the pointless journey.
Israel is prepared to raid the ship, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said.
He said: “We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly.”
One activist on board has said they are being followed by a drone – a month after another boat under the same flag was allegedly attacked by one.
In a video on social media, one of Greta’s shipmates said: “We can clearly see a drone to our left. It’s gaining on us a little bit.”
Organisers of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition say their voyage is “a non-violent, direct action to challenge Israel’s illegal siege”.
Ahead of the journey, Thunberg said through tears: “we are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying.
“Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity.
“Regardless of the mission’s risks, they pale in comparison to the global silence regarding the publicly broadcasted atrocities,” declared participants.
Israel rejects any accusation it is conducting a genocide and says the accusations are an anti-Semitic “blood libel”.
Israel’s objective is to eliminate the Hamas faction responsible for the brutal October 7, 2023, attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 250 hostages.
Hamas is accused of using innocent Palestinian civilians as shields and holding aid meant for them to ransom.
US Senator Lindsey Graham has slammed the flotilla saying: “Hope Greta and her friends can swim!”
Negotiations are ongoing to find peace in the strip, with Israel last week signing up to a US proposal.
Israel has paused aid delivery after soldiers opened fire on people heading toward an aid site.
Gaza health officials, the Red Cross and the U.N. rights office said 27 people were killed on Tuesday, and witnesses blamed Israeli forces.
Israels military said it fired near people it described as suspects who it said approached its forces and ignored warning shots.
It says it is looking into reports of casualties.
The UN has warned that Gaza had become “the hungriest place on Earth”.
It said the territory’s entire population was at risk of famine.
It comes after Israel eliminated defacto Hamas Gaza chief Mohammad Sinwar, also known as “The Shadow”.
It comes after reports that the chief, who was also one of the October 7 masterminds, had likely been killed in an Israeli airstrike on May 13.
Israel appears to have successfully eliminated Sinwar Jr by bombing what it said was Hamas’ command centre under the European Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip.
Will there be peace in Gaza?
Terror group Hamas has not agreed with the latest US proposal for peace in the strip – whereas Israel has.
Hamas has said that it is ready to release hostages in a bid to end the war in Gaza.
The militants said they would release ten living hostages and 18 bodies in return for Israel’s release of a number of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas said: “This proposal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, (Israeli) withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and ensure the flow of aid to our people and families.”
There was no immediate response from Israel to the statement.
