Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist aboard the ship Madleen, which is currently en route to the Gaza Strip as part of a controversial flotilla, claimed on Sunday that their systems have been compromised. According to Ávila, the disruptions are likely the result of Israeli interference as a prelude to an attempt to intercept their mission.
In a video update, Ávila described what he called suspicious developments. “I’ve received some very weird news that according to our tracker, we are no longer 162 nautical miles from Gaza, which is where we are, but according to it, we are in the Jordan airport. We know what that means when they start jamming our communications, when they start messing with our devices, it means that they are preparing for an interception or an attack.”
He continued, warning of possible military action by Israeli forces. “We all heard the Israeli media saying that they confirmed that Unit S (Shayetet) 13 (Israel’s naval commando unit) of IOF (Israel Occupation Forces) special forces are preparing to commit a warcrime, and we need to stop that, we can still stop that. I’m convinced that if we mobilize enough, if we pressure the nation states enough, we can make such pressure in the Zionist entity that they can not afford to attack us, to intercept us.”
Ávila urged viewers to spread his message in hopes of deterring action against the flotilla. “We still have a chance to save this humanitarian aid, to preserve this boat, this mission, and ourselves, and we count on you right now.”
The Madleen is expected to reach the vicinity of Gaza’s shoreline by Monday. The voyage is being spearheaded by far-left demonstrators, including well-known environmental advocate Greta Thunberg.
In anticipation of the flotilla’s approach, Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a directive earlier in the day to the IDF, authorizing all necessary measures to block the vessel from arriving in Gaza. The stated rationale is to uphold the blockade that Israel argues is vital for stopping arms from reaching Hamas.
“Israel will not allow anyone to violate the naval blockade on Gaza, which is primarily aimed at preventing the transfer of weapons to Hamas — a murderous terrorist organization that is holding our hostages and committing war crimes,” Katz stated.
He added pointedly, “I have instructed the IDF to ensure that the ‘Madleen’ flotilla does not reach Gaza. To Greta the antisemite and her Hamas propaganda-spouting friends, I say clearly: turn around — you will not reach Gaza. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organizations — by sea, air, or land.”
{Matzav.com}