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The Israel Defense Forces says it is “prepared” to respond to the so-called “Freedom Flotilla” en route to Gaza with radical leftist Greta Thunberg.
“For this case as well, we are prepared,” Brigadier General Effie Defrin, an Israeli army spokesman, told The Times of London. “We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly.”
The 22-year-old Thunberg and 11 other left-wing activists are currently in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea on a 59-foot boat that is en route to Gaza with what they say is critical humanitarian aid.
“Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. And no matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the livestreamed genocide,” Thunberg said before setting sail.
WHITE HOUSE TORCHES BIDEN’S GAZA PIER AS TRUMP’S AID MISSION SERVES A MILLION MEALS
The United Kingdom-registered vessel, the Madleen, departed from Catania, Sicily on June 1, and will attempt to challenge an Israeli sea blockade.
The vessel plans to arrive on June 7, though it is unlikely that the IDF will allow the boat anywhere near Gaza.
French member of the European Parliament, Rima Hassan, is also on board.
This is the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s second attempt to sail to Gaza. Its last, larger vessel was attacked and disabled before arriving in Malta to pick up Thunberg last month. It was later reportedly towed to Libya. The group accuses the IDF of the attack, though the IDF has not taken responsibility.
Unlike its last mission, the flotilla has been publicly broadcasting its location to drum up publicity, even posting videos claiming that a drone had visited it.
“There’s a drone on top of our ship,” Thiago Avila, another passenger said in a video. “If this is an attack, we need your support.”
Avila was in attendance at the funeral of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The flotilla later said the drone was part of the Hellenic Coast Guard.
The activist passengers hail from several countries including Germany, Spain, France, Brazil, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Sweden.
GAZANS FLOOD THE STREETS TO PROTEST HAMAS AS IDF OPERATIONS INTENSIFY
Thunberg, known for her long history of dramatic publicity stunts, was mocked by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-GA) who posted “Hope Greta and her friends can swim!” on X.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations called Graham’s post as “inhumane and reckless” and said it “could be interpreted by Israel as a green light for more violence against unarmed civilians.”
The small vessel’s attempt to deliver food, diapers, medical supplies, and other aid comes as the Trump administration-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation successfully delivered more than 7 million meals to Gazans, according to the organization.
The group has been tasked with implementing President Trump’s aid initiative, designed to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches Gazan civilians while preventing Hamas from seizing supplies — a problem that has persisted since the war began following the group’s October 7, 2023, massacre.
An earlier version of this article mistakenly claimed that Liam Cunningham was aboard the Madleen. It has been confirmed that he was not onboard the vessel after it departed.
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