'We're Not Scared': Freedom Flotilla Crew Approaches Gaza Despite New Israeli Threats

As they drew nearer to Gaza on Sunday, the 12 crew members of the Freedom Flotilla vessel the Madleen remained undeterred in their mission to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave, even as an Israeli official issued new threats.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on social media Sunday afternoon that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces "to act to prevent the Madleen hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza—and to take whatever measures are necessary to that end."

"To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I say clearly: You should turn back—because you will not reach Gaza," Katz said, referring to Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, one of the 12 people on board. "Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organizations—at sea, in the air, and on land."

"What we face is nothing compared to what Palestinians in Gaza endure."

The crew members, however, said they would not turn back and that they hoped to reach Gaza by Monday.

"Israel's Defense Minister has once again threatened unlawful force against civilians, attempting to justify violence with baseless smears," the group posted on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Instagram. "We will not be intimidated."

"The Madleen is a peaceful civilian vessel, unarmed and sailing in international waters with humanitarian aid and human rights defenders. This mission is independent, guided only by conscience and solidarity with Gaza," the crew members wrote.

Posting at around 7:00 p.m. local time, they added that they were around 160 nautical miles from Gaza and had experienced brief signal jamming, but that their tracker was currently working again.

"We call on world governments to demand Israel stand down. It has no right to obstruct our mission or enforce its illegal and brutal blockade," they said.

Individual crew members also spoke out.

Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan said on social media that she expected Israel to illegally detain the crew members within 24 hours.

"When we are no longer able to communicate with you, I'm counting on you to continue the mobilization that has been so valuable to us throughout this journey," she said.

Hassen further told Al Jazeera that the crew would "stay mobilized until the last minute until Israel cuts the internet and networks."

"We're not scared of them," German human rights activist and crew member Yasemin Acar said, as Al Jazeera reported. "The message they have been sending us—that we cannot come closer—is not making us step back."

Brazilian activist and crew member Thiago Avila told Al Jazeera that the crew had observed drones flying overhead.

"We know Israeli forces are prepared to confront us with weapons, but we are not afraid," he said, adding, "What we face is nothing compared to what Palestinians in Gaza endure."

Turkish crew member Huseyin Suayb, meanwhile, told Al Jazeera that spirits remained high.

"We are still heading toward Gaza, there is very little distance left. These are critical hours. God willing, we will be in Gaza tomorrow, as long as we do not face any obstruction," he said.

Al Jazeera correspondent Omar Faiad, also on board the Madleen, said the crew members were trying to prepare themselves for any scenario. There is reason for concern, as Israel has a history of attacking other ships that have attempted to reach Gaza to protest the blockade that Israel and Egypt have enforced around the strip since Hamas assumed control there in 2007.

In 2010, Israeli commandos killed nine activists on board the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara, and a 10th later died from sustained injuries. In May, drones damaged the Freedom Flotilla ship the Conscience as it sat in international waters off Malta, with activists attributing the attacks to Israel.

"They may attack us again, threaten us, or resort to personal violence. They may target our lives," Suayb told Al Jazeera. "But as you know, we've experienced this before. Even the slightest reflex shown in self-defence is labelled as a weapon, as terrorism. We are completely peaceful activists. Not a single one of us knows how to fight or use a weapon. We do not pose any kind of threat."

The Madleen set sail from Sicily on June 1, in protest not only of the long-standing blockade against Gaza but also the Israeli bombardment and restrictions of humanitarian aid into the strip since October 2023, which several human rights experts and organizations consider a genocide. Due to a total blockade of aid between March and May, aid organizations warn that Palestinians in Gaza are in danger of starvation, and the Madleen carries much-needed goods such as flour, rice, and baby formula.

"The Flotilla Giants are approaching Gaza, scheduled to arrive tomorrow," United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese wrote on social media Sunday afternoon. "It is not only the aid, it is the HUMANITY THEY CARRY. For all of us. May Israel not endanger them as with the previous flotilla. MAY THIS BE THE TIME ISRAEL LAYS DOWN THE GENOCIDAL MACHINERY."