Aboard the vessel Madleen, part of the flotilla to Gaza, panic broke out on Sunday when a Brazilian activist claimed that their navigation system no longer showed them 162 nautical miles from the Gaza Strip, but rather at Jordan's main airport. Earlier in the day, Israeli authorities declared the ship would not be allowed to enter the area as it attempts to "break the blockade." Among those on board is far-left activist Greta Thunberg.
"We're here on the deck of the Madleen to break the blockade on Gaza and to open a humanitarian corridor for people, and we've received some very strange news," said the Brazilian activist. "According to our navigation device, we're no longer 162 nautical miles from Gaza – we're at the airport in Jordan. We know what that means – they're trying to jam the equipment."
According to him, "That means they're preparing for an interception or a raid. We all heard Israeli media reporting they confirmed Shayetet 13... so they're getting ready to commit a war crime. We need to stop this, and we still can."
Another activist on the vessel said, "The communications blackout has officially begun. What does that mean? It means we have to rely on you – the millions around the world who support human rights and a free Palestine. A Palestine free from genocide and starvation. We're counting on you to help secure a safe passage for humanitarian aid."
