The tension around the Gaza Strip monitors international attention again after the recent warning of the Israeli Defense MinisterIsrael Katz, to the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and to the rest of the Madeen ship crew, belonging to the ‘Flulet de la Libertad’. The attempt of this group of activists of Break the maritime block imposed by Israel and Deliver humanitarian aid to the Gazatí population He has revived The debate on the legality of the blockadethe humanitarian crisis in the area and the limits of international action in disputed waters.
A mission under international surveillance and tension
The ship, a 18 -meter sailboat with 12 activists on board “Among them Thunberg, THE MEP RIMA HASSAN and several journalists – left last Sunday of the Port of Catania (Italy). Your goal is break the maritime block imposed by Israel on Gaza since 2007 and deliver Supplies to a population that, according to the World Health Organization, Face one of the worst hunger crises in the worldwith about half a million people in a situation of acute famine.
The journey does not has been exempt from incidents: activists denounce that Since its entry into international waters they have been monitored by dronesand remember the missile attack suffered by another fleet ship last May near Malta. In addition, the Madleen crew was recently involved in the rescue of migrants in the Mediterranean, in an operation interrupted by the arrival of the Libyan Coast Guard.
Israel justifies the blockade and threats to intercept
Minister Katz justified the order to prevent Madleen’s progress by ensuring that “The state of Israel will not allow anyone to violate the naval block over Gaza, whose main objective is Avoid weapons transfer to Hamasa terrorist organization that maintains hostages and commits war crimes. “Israeli authorities have warned that They will intercept the boat when approximately 100 miles Nautical of the Gazatí coast, predictably this Monday.
Reactions of activists and background
Sergio Toribio, a Spanish activist on board, denounced that “Israel lacks jurisdiction in international waters” and illegal described any attempt to arrest outside Israeli territorial waters. From the Fleeta de la Libertad they insist that its action is peaceful and framed in international law, and remember andL precedent of 2010when The Israeli Navy violently approached a similar flotilla causing the death of ten Turkish activists.
The Eurodiputada Rima Hassanalso on board, he warned that any attempt to intercept the Madleen would be a “Clear violation of international law” and requested guarantees for the safe step of the ship.
Humanitarian crisis in gaza and international pressure
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is critical. From Marchthe enclave suffers an almost total blockade of the entry of aid, which has caused the death of dozens of children by malnutrition And he has put the population on the edge of the famine, according to WHO and UN data. Although Israel recently announced the partial flexibility of blocking to allow the entry of basic foodsinternational organizations denounce that The aid remains insufficient and that the civilian population continues in an emergency situation.
The MADLEEN mission, the number 36 organized by the Fleeta de la Libertad, seeks to make this crisis visible and claim the opening of humanitarian corridors. The international community observes the outcome, while the voices that demand respect for international law and the protection of activists and civilians in the area grow.
An uncertain outcome
As the Madleen approaches the Egyptian coast and its maximum risk point, the tension increases. The activists insist on continuing their mission despite threatswhile Israel reaffirms its determination to prevent any attempt to break the blockade. The outcome, scheduled for the next few hours, will be key to measuring the scope of international pressure and respect for humanitarian norms in one of the most serious conflicts of the moment.
