European legislators have endorsed the Commission's plan to safeguard employees from dangers linked to ionizing radiation exposure.
Sailing Towards a Conflict Zone
"We won't back down," German-Egyptian MEP Rima Hassan, aboard the humanitarian vessel Madleen, boldly declares as they sail towards Gaza. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, June 8, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz orders the Israeli military to halt the ship's progress, targeting its passengers that include environmental warrior Greta Thunberg.
That's all folks, wrapping up our live coverage.
France's Jean-Luc Mélenchon demands national action. Posting on Twitter, the rebel leader of La France insoumise voices his displeasure at Katz's order to the Israeli military to bar the Madleen from Gaza. "[Benyamin] Netanyahu is threatening our small vessel with Rima Hassan, Greta Thunberg, and ten crew members," he tweeted. "Our navy should intervene and enforce international law and protect our threatened nationals." The French Minister of Overseas France, Olivier Faure, also stands with the humanitarian ship: "Katz’s claims are ludicrous. The boat isn't ferrying weapons to Hamas. Its purpose is aid-he published on Twitter.*"
By the end of Sunday, the ship may reach Gaza's waters. The organizers of this voyage, who offer real-time boat tracking on their website, announced Saturday evening that they had reached Egypt's shores. "Sunday evening, we'll likely be near Gaza's territorial waters," told AFP y German human rights activist Yasemin Acar, assuring that "everything's fine." At 5 PM, the boat was 150 nautical miles from its destination, translating to 277 km.
Departure from Sicily a week prior. The ship set sail from Catania on June 1, with a dozen passengers hailing from countries such as Germany, France, Brazil, Sweden, Turkey, Spain, and the Netherlands. Aboard the vessel are Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, French MEP Rima Hassan, and Irish actor Liam Cunningham.
This humanitarian mission, primarily symbolic, carries 250 kg of rice, 100 kg of flour, 600 diapers, baby milk, hygienic products for women, walking sticks, and medicine. "We know it's a small step, but it's the most we could carry with the resources on board," Hassan told French TV on Sunday.
[Sources: 1] Amnesty International[, 2] Freedom Flotilla Coalition[, 3] BBC.com, [4] Frontex.europa.eu, [5] Wikipedia.org]
This voyage isn't all aid. It carries baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, menstrual products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and children's prosthetics.[2][5] During its journey, the Madleen responded to a distress call, rescuing four Sudanese migrants at sea on June 5 and later transferring them to Frontex.[4][5] By June 7, the ship had reached Egypt.[5]
In the dead of the night on June 9, the Israeli military intercepted the Madleen in international waters, detaining all 12 crew and activists, including prominent figures such as Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan.[1][3][5] Both Amnesty International and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition criticize this action, deeming it against international law, and demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the detained passengers.[1][3] The arrest has sparked concerns over Israel's blockade of Gaza and its impact on humanitarian relief.[1]
- The French Minister of Overseas France, Olivier Faure, has expressed his support for the humanitarian vessel Madleen, stating that Israel's claims against the ship are ludicrous, as it is not carrying weapons to Hamas, but aid.
- The humanitarian mission, led by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, carries not only essential items like baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, and medical supplies, but also menstrual products, water desalination kits, crutches, and children's prosthetics, demonstrating a broader commitment to overall welfare and inclusivity.
- During its voyage, the Madleen responded to a distress call, rescuing four Sudanese migrants at sea and later transferring them to Frontex, reflecting the vessel's involvement in addressing migration issues and humanitarian relief efforts beyond its primary mission.
