Israel evaluates intercepting new Flotilha da Freedom on the way to Gaza

Israeli authorities analyze strategies to prevent a freedom Flotilla from reaching the Gaza Strip.

The vessel, which transports activists and humanitarian aid, departed from Catania, Sicily, and has been scheduled to arrive at the Palestinian enclave on June 8. Israeli security sources say the government is studying to apprehend the boat and arresting the occupants.

The information was released by vehicles from the Hebrew press, including the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (KAN), which estimated the arrival of the vessel in about four days.

Initially, Israel would have considered it to be attracted to the ship because it does not represent a threat to safety. However, according to Kan, the possibility has been discarded to prevent the creation of precedents that can encourage new attempts to break the blockade to Gaza.

According to the Walla News portal, there is no final decision on the part of the army on how to deal with the ship. Military sources have stated that Israeli forces will be displaced to the region and that a message will be sent to the activists, warning them so that they do not enter waters under lock.

“The Shayetet 13 Naval Command and missile boat units are preparing to perform an operation to seize the ship and arrest participants,” the military sources told the Israeli vehicle.

Israeli Katz Minister of Defense, called a meeting for June 5 to define the official response. The operation against the ship is under evaluation with the Israeli safety commands and the Navy.

On board the Madleen humanitarian ship are 12 Pro-Palestinian activists, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, actor Liam Cunningham, known as the series Game of Thronesand the actress Susan Sarandon. The three have already spoken publicly against Israel’s performance in Gaza and criticized the blockade imposed on the region.

According to the organizers, the purpose of the mission is to symbolically break the block and deliver a limited amount of humanitarian aid to the territory. The action occurs amid a climbing in tensions involving the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the siege maintained by Israel for over 15 years.

One of the activists released a video in which he claims that an Israeli drone flew over the vessel. He also cited an earlier episode on May 2, in which a freedom Flotilla ship would have been bombarded by an Israeli drone. The attack would have caused a hole in the vessel structure, resulting in fire and risk of wreck.

Israel’s 12 channel 12 reported last year that Israeli forces had conducted training focused specifically to deal with attempts to break the block through civil vessels.

The current initiative refers to the 2010 episode, when Israeli commands intercepted ships from the Freedom Flotilla that went to Gaza with humanitarian aid. The action, held from helicopters, resulted in the death of nine Turkish civilians and injuries in 30 other activists of various nationalities. The episode generated international repercussion and led to a diplomatic wear between Israel and Turkey.

Since then, new initiatives for international activists to break maritime block have been monitored and, in many cases, intercepted by Israel. The Israeli government justifies actions based on security issues, while international organizations and human rights groups question the legality and consequences of blockade to the Gaza civilian population.

The Madleen ship was equipped with medical supplies and food, according to the organizers of Flotilha. The amount of help is described as limited and symbolic value, with the objective of attracting international attention to the situation in the Gaza Strip.

The mission has the support of several international organizations and solidary movements to the Palestinian cause. The composition of the crew and the presence of known public figures expanded the visibility of the operation on social networks and in international press vehicles.

The final decision of the Israeli government will be made after the meeting with the Minister of Defense and should take into account military, legal and diplomatic assessments. The possibility of seizure of the ship and detention of passengers is still under analysis, according to the history of answers prior to similar actions.

To date, there is no official position of the Israeli government about the operation of the flotilla. Nor were reactions to the Palestinian or international organizations. The case is still underway by the press and entities involved in the humanitarian mission.

With information from The Cradle