The Freedom Flotilla's Madleen, a beacon of light in the Mediterranean, as it makes its journey to distribute aid in Gaza, Palestine. Photo: AP.
Israel had initially considered allowing the boat to dock, but decided against it so as not to create a precedent of breaking the siege against Gaza
Tel Aviv has plans to prevent the Gaza Freedom Flotilla from reaching the besieged strip, and may even seize the boat and detain those on board, according to Hebrew media reports.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) estimated that the boat will arrive at the coast of Gaza in around four days.
Citing security sources, KAN said Israel initially considered allowing the Flotilla to dock, given it did not pose a security threat – but ultimately decided against it so as not to create a precedent and allow for other attempts to break its blockade on Gaza.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to hold a meeting on 5 June to discuss a final decision on how to deal with the ship and its passengers.
The humanitarian vessel is carrying 12 pro-Palestinian activists, including renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg and Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham, as well as actress Susan Sarandon – who have all been outspoken on Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and its brutal blockade of the strip.
According to military sources cited by Walla news, the Israeli army has not yet made a final decision on how to deal with the humanitarian vessel.
The sources added that Israel plans to deploy forces in the area and relay a message warning the activists not to enter.
“The naval commando unit ‘Shayetet 13’ and the missile boat units are preparing for the possibility of carrying out an operation to seize the ship and arrest the participants,” the sources went on to say.
The Madleen civilian boat, boarded by the activists and carrying aid for Gaza, departed from Catania, Sicily, on Sunday.
The small vessel is expected to reach the strip by 8 June, where activists will attempt to breach the Israeli-enforced blockade of the besieged enclave, carrying a meager but “symbolic” amount of humanitarian aid.
According to a video statement made by one of the activists on board, an Israeli drone has been hovering above the vessel.
An Israeli drone bombed a Freedom Flotilla aid vessel that was en route to Gaza early on 2 May, blowing a hole through the ship, causing a fire, and putting it at risk of sinking.
Israeli media outlet Channel 12 reported last year that Israeli forces were carrying out training exercises for a potential interception of humanitarian ships aiming to break the siege of Gaza.
In 2010, Israeli commandos raided a group of Freedom Flotilla ships with helicopters as they were carrying aid and headed towards Gaza to break the siege. The commandos killed nine Turkish civilians and injured 30 others of several nationalities.
