Israel on Sunday ordered the military to stop a humanitarian ship carrying activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, breaking the blockade of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

"I have instructed the military to prevent the Madleen flotilla from reaching Gaza," Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

"Turn back because you will not reach Gaza," Katz added, calling the activists "Hamas propaganda mouthpieces".

The Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Italy on June 1 with the aim of delivering aid and challenging the Israeli blockade, which has been in place for years even before the Israel-Hamas war since October 2023.

Organisers said Saturday the vessel had entered Egyptian waters and was nearing Gaza, where the war has entered its 21st month.

"We are not armed. There is only humanitarian aid," European Parliament member Rima Hassan told AFP from the boat, vowing to "stay mobilised until the last minute".

The coalition said in a statement on X it expected "interception and an attack from Israel at any moment", calling for protection from the governments of those on board, who are nationals of Germany, France, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden,........

© Al Monitor