If you see this, we’ve been kidnapped: Thunberg’s SOS video before Israel seizes Gaza-bound ship
Gaza/Tel Aviv: Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appeared in a pre-recorded video shared by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), moments before Israeli forces seized their British-flagged aid ship Madleen, which was en route to Gaza. The video served as a distress message to the global community, in which Thunberg stated that she and her fellow passengers had been “kidnapped in international waters.”
“My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden. If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel,” she said in the video. “I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.”
The Madleen, carrying a 12-member crew including Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, was part of an initiative by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to deliver a symbolic consignment of humanitarian aid, comprising rice and baby formula, to Gaza and raise awareness about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
The FFC said Israeli forces intercepted the ship in the early hours of Sunday and escorted it to an Israeli port. A photo posted by Rima Hassan on social media showed the crew seated on the deck with life jackets, hands raised.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry later confirmed the vessel’s capture, referring to it as a “selfie yacht” and claiming the mission was a “propaganda effort in support of Hamas.” A statement read, “All the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over.”
Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had earlier ordered that the Madleen be stopped, describing it as a political provocation. The Israeli government has justified the ongoing naval blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007, as necessary to prevent arms supplies from reaching Hamas.
Since the beginning of Israel’s military operations in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, over 54,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The United Nations has warned that more than 2 million residents in Gaza are now facing the threat of famine.
Despite the Israeli government's dismissal of the aid mission, the FFC maintains that the goal of the voyage was peaceful and aimed at drawing global attention to the dire conditions in Gaza. The coalition called on international governments to intervene and secure the release of all detained activists.
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Karnataka bypolls: Over 60 per cent voter turnout in Bagalkot, Davanagere South till 5 pm
Bengaluru (PTI): Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in both Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, where bypolls were held on Thursday.
While the turnout in Bagalkot was 65.68 per cent, it was 63.04 per cent in Davanagere South.
While the ruling Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP aims to wrest them and deliver a setback to its rival, which is currently witnessing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.
The bypolls were necessitated due to the demise of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South).
A total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations in Bagalkot, where nine candidates are in the fray.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
The BJP has fielded former MLA and 2023 defeated candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot, and a fresh face, Srinivas T Dasakariyappa, from Davanagere South.
The Congress has given tickets to family members of the late legislators in both constituencies. Bagalkot candidate Umesh Meti is the son of H Y Meti, while Samarth Mallikarjun from Davanagere South is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
