Background on Key Figures and Organizations
Greta Thunberg, a renowned Swedish environmental activist, is part of an international non-violent movement called the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). The FFC aims to support Palestinians by delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, a territory under Hamas control and subject to an Israeli blockade since before the 2023 war.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, ordered the military to prevent the Madleen, a sailing vessel carrying 12 activists including Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan, from reaching Gaza. More than 200 European lawmakers signed a letter urging Israel to allow the Madleen to deliver aid.
Israeli Actions and Their Impact
On Sunday, Israel’s Defense Minister instructed the military to block the Madleen from reaching Gaza. The ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail from Italy on June 1st with the goal of delivering aid to Gaza. The activists on board represent various nationalities, including Germany, France, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Rima Hassan, a French MEP from the left-wing LFI party, stated that over 200 European legislators signed a letter requesting Israel to permit the Madleen’s arrival in Gaza and immediate delivery of humanitarian aid.
Previous Incidents
- In May, another Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship reported being attacked by drones.
- In 2010, a similar flotilla was met with force by the Israeli military, resulting in multiple deaths and international condemnation.
Current Situation in Gaza
Gaza’s Civil Defense reported that Israeli attacks killed at least 10 people on Sunday. Civilians were heading to a distribution center west of Rafah, managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), when they were struck.
The GHF, funded opaquely with support from the US and Israel, faces criticism from the UN and various humanitarian organizations that refuse to collaborate with them.
The Israeli military stated that they shot at individuals who “continued advancing in a manner threatening soldiers” despite warnings. The GHF claimed no incidents or injuries occurred at any of their managed sites.
Since late May, dozens have died near GHF distribution points, according to the Civil Defense.
Personal Accounts
At Naser Hospital, families mourned the loss of loved ones. In a community kitchen in Gaza City, displaced Palestinian Um Ghasan shared her struggle to obtain food due to large crowds and gunfire at distribution points.
“I’m afraid to go, but there are people risking their lives for their children and families,” she said.
Israel’s Claims
The Gaza Civil Defense also reported that five more people, including two girls, died in a nighttime attack on a tent in the Al Mawasi refugee camp, south of Gaza. This attack followed Hamas’s October 2023 rocket attacks on Israel, sparking the war.
According to an AFP tally based on official data, the conflict resulted in 1,218 Israeli deaths, mostly civilians. Over 54,880 Palestinians, mostly civilians, died in the Israeli military operation, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry, deemed reliable by the UN.
On Sunday, the Israeli military claimed to have identified and located the remains of Mohamed Sinwar, alleged leader of Hamas in Gaza, who was killed in a bombing on May 13.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Greta Thunberg? A Swedish environmental activist known for raising awareness about climate change.
- What is the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC)? An international non-violent movement aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- Why is there a blockade on Gaza? Israel imposed the blockade following Hamas’s takeover of Gaza and before the 2023 war, which was triggered by Hamas rocket attacks on Israel.
- What is the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF)? A controversial organization funded opaquely by the US and Israel, criticized for its lack of transparency and collaboration issues with other humanitarian groups.
- What is the current situation in Gaza? Despite ongoing conflict and blockade, humanitarian needs remain dire in Gaza, with many civilians facing food shortages and limited access to essential services.
