Greta Thunberg’s aid vessel has been intercepted by the Israeli military as it nears the besieged Gaza Strip, activists claim.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said its vessels were being boarded by military personnel with cameras taken offline in a post on Instagram on Wednesday evening. It comes just hours after dozens of boats in the flotilla declared a state of emergency as it braced for interception in their bid to deliver aid to the region.
“High alert. Our vessels are being illegally intercepted,” it wrote.
“Cameras are offline and vessels have been boarded by military personnel. We are actively working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board.”
More than 500 activists, including Greta Thunberg, are onboard around 45 boats carrying aid through the Mediterranean Sea for more than one month, looking to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza as the enclave remains in the grip of widespread hunger.
Ms Thunberg and fellow activists were previously arrested and detained in Israeli prison for a number of days after a previous flotilla was intercepted by the country’s military over the summer.
The group have said they fear a heavy-handed encounter with Israeli forces.
