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OMINOUS WARNING FROM ISRAEL AS FREEDOM FLOTILLA APPROACHES GAZA
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Julia Conley
June 4, 2025
Common Dreams
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_ "We are doing this because no matter what odds we are against, we
have to keep trying, because the moment we stop trying is when we lose
our humanity," said Greta Thunberg. _
The crew of the Freedom Flotilla bound for Gaza with humanitarian aid
is seen on the vessel on June 4, 2025., (Photo: Rima Hassan/X)
Palestinian rights advocates aboard the Gaza
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distress signal Wednesday, saying drones "repeatedly" hovered over the
ship as it carried humanitarian aid for starving people in Gaza.
The distress call from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition came as a
spokesperson for the Israel
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the IDF may confront the vessel, called the _Madleen_, as it
approaches Gaza with food, baby formula, and medicines.
"For this case as well, we are prepared," said
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General Effie Edfrin. "We have gained experience in recent years."
The ominous remark brought to mind the IDF's killing
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nine Turkish people who were on a flotilla headed for Gaza in 2010,
aiming to break Israel's blockade on humanitarian aid in the enclave.
Another boat, the _Conscience_, was struck
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drones in early May.
The _Madleen_ had traveled 381 nautical miles since leaving Sicily
over the weekend, and has drawn international attention—including
a threat
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U.S. Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.)—partially because climate
activist Greta Thunberg
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vessel.
"We are doing this because no matter what odds we are against, we have
to keep trying, because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our
humanity," Thunberg told reporters before departing. "No matter how
dangerous this mission is, it is nowhere near as dangerous as the
silence of the entire world."
Israel imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid in March just
before ending a temporary cease-fire; it began letting in a tiny
amount of relief in May under international pressure—but only a
fraction of the 500 aid trucks that entered the enclave on a daily
basis have been permitted into Gaza in recent weeks.
In the past week, the IDF has also killed dozens of Palestinians and
injured hundreds as they approached food distribution hubs set up by
the Israel- and U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
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The 80-day total blockade pushed the entire population of Gaza closer
to famine, according to
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Food Security Phase Classification.
United Nations experts on Monday called on
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not to interfere with the _Madleen_.
"Aid is desperately needed for the people of Gaza to forestall
annihilation, and this initiative is a symbolic and powerful effort to
deliver it. Israel should remember that the world is watching closely
and refrain from any act of hostility against the Freedom Flotilla
Coalition and its passengers," the experts said.
"The people of Gaza have the right to receive aid through their own
territorial waters even under occupation, and the coalition ship has
the right to free passage in international waters to reach the people
of Gaza," they added. “Israel must not interfere with its freedom of
navigation, long recognized under international law."
_Julia Conley is a staff writer for Common Dreams._
* Freedom Flotilla
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* Ship to Gaza
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* endangered
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* Israel
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