The IDF has decided not to allow a ship with Greta Thunberg on board to reach the coast of Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has decided not to allow the ship Madeleine, bound for Gaza with 12 pro-Palestinian activists on board, including Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg. This was reported on June 5 by The Jerusalem Post newspaper, citing a senior source in the Israeli defense ministry, adding that Defense Minister Yisrael Katz plans to take additional measures.

"The ship is expected to arrive within a week," the publication says.

It is noted that the authorities initially considered the possibility of allowing the ship to dock in Gaza, as the security services did not identify a threat. However, this decision was later revised.

The Israeli authorities fear that allowing the ship to dock could set an undesirable precedent and undermine the regime of the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. In addition, in this case, the activists on board will be isolated in Gaza without the possibility of a safe return, in order to avoid these risks, it was decided not to allow the Madeleine to the coastline.

The Madeleine, organized by the Freedom Flotilla coalition, sailed from Sicily on Sunday with humanitarian aid, including baby food, diapers, flour, rice, water filters, hygiene products and medical equipment.

Before setting sail, Thunberg told reporters that no matter how dangerous this mission was, it was nothing compared to "the silence of the whole world watching the genocide."

Pressure point: Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza as part of its operation

The IDF has stepped up operations around the entire perimeter of the exclave — during one of the strikes, the head of the military wing of Hamas was killed.

French MEP Rima Hassan announced on May 28 that Thunberg intends to visit the Gaza Strip as part of a humanitarian mission, despite its blockade by the Israel Defense Forces.