GAZA (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Israel has threatened to intercept the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and arrest activists on board, according to Israeli military sources cited by The Jerusalem Post.
The Israeli army warned that if the ship approaches Gaza’s coast, it may be seized, and its passengers detained and deported via the port of Ashdod.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the security establishment has decided to block the vessel from reaching Gaza. Possible scenarios include forcing the vessel to remain at sea or towing it to Ashdod where its passengers would be detained then deported.
Activists aboard the ship said a drone flew close to them at low altitude last night, prompting them to wear life jackets out of fear of an attack. They also responded to a distress call from another vessel carrying asylum seekers, changing course temporarily.
The Madleen departed from Sicily in southern Italy on Sunday with 12 international activists on board, aiming to break the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian aid. A previous flotilla attempt was thwarted in May when Israeli drones attacked another aid ship near Malta.
The Madleen is the 36th vessel organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international movement formed in 2010 to oppose Israel’s siege on Gaza. That same year, Israeli navy forces stormed one of the Coalition’s’ vessels: the Mavi Marmara, and killed 10 Turkish activists on board.
