Israel’s navy is reportedly getting ready to intercept the Madleen flotilla as it heads towards Gaza on Sunday night, with military sources suggesting efforts are being made to avoid drawing widespread media attention.
The Israeli military says it has rehearsed multiple scenarios ahead of the planned operation to stop the vessel, the Israaeli daily Haaretz reported.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz earlier issued a warning to those on board, stating that he had ordered the army to use “any means necessary” to stop the flotilla from breaching the naval blockade.
“The State of Israel will not allow anyone to violate the naval blockade on Gaza, which aims to prevent the transfer of weapons to Hamas,” Katz said. He added, “Greta and her friends better turn back – because they will not reach Gaza.”
The flotilla’s organisers say their mission is humanitarian, aimed at challenging Israel’s ongoing siege of the coastal enclave.
