Greta freedom flotilla 'partially funded' by Hamas, Israel claims
The flotilla has attempted to deliver aid to Gaza amid an ongoing blockade, with Greta Thunberg among those travelling to the region
Greta Thunberg's 'freedom flotilla', which has taken part in sustained attempts to deliver aid to Gaza, was 'partially funded' by Hamas, Israel has claimed.
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Suggestions of a direct Hamas link come as Israel released what it insists are official documents found in the Gaza Strip 'proving' Hamas’s direct involvement in the funding and execution of the “Sumud” flotilla to Gaza.
The government claims the documents are proof that the terrorist organisation is at least partially responsible for funding "mobilizing actions against Israel" through 'Hamas Abroad'.
According to the Israeli embassy, the papers show that a number of the flotilla's ships are "secretly owned by Hamas".
Last week, Greta Thunberg's Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship has been "attacked several times" by a heavy swarm of drones, the activists said.
It comes as the aid flotilla made its latest attempt to reach the region, after pausing for several days in Greek waters to undertake repairs.
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Setting out its intentions, the activists on board plan to challenge Israel's naval blockade and deliver aid to the Palestinian territory.
Organisers said on Sunday that Greek vessels had joined the fleet and that the flotilla was now "complete", having increased the number of vessels to 47 civilian boats.
With Hamas operating in the Gaza Strip, Hamas Abroad is responsible for Hamas activity outside the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli authorities.
That includes the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) - an organisation that Israel says is a subordinate to Hamas and a representative body abroad, serving as a "wing of the movement".
The Israeli government suggests that the wing is charged with mobilising actions against Israel, "including violent demonstrations, marches against Israel, and demonstration and provocation flotillas".
One of the alleged Hamas documents was discovered at what Israel claims was a Hamas outpost in the Gaza Strip.
The document contains a list of people it says are PCPA operatives, some of whom it claims are high-ranking well-known Hamas officials.
Among the names on the list are Zaher Birawi, who serves as Head of the PCPA’s Hamas sector in the UK.
Birawi is known as a leader of the demonstration flotillas to the Gaza Strip, with Saif Abu Kashk described as another Hanas operative from the organiaation located in Spain.
Israel now claims the document shows a "direct connection" between the flotilla leaders and Hamas.
In addition, Israel claims a third name, Abu Kashk, is linked to the Hamas organisation as the CEO of Cyber Neptune - an organisation Israel says is a front company in Spain.
Israel claims the Spanish company owns dozens of the ships participating in the “Sumud” flotilla. Thus, these ships are secretly owned by Hamas.
According to documents released by the Israeli embassy, one Hamas document it claims was found in the Gaza Strip and dated 2021, was signed by Head of the Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh.
In a translation of the letter, Israel claims Haniyeh publicly endorses the PCPA organisation.
It comes as the Global Sumud Flotilla took to social media to announce their intention to reach Gaza after several failed attempts.
"Brothers and sisters in Gaza, we sail with hope in our hearts. Your resilience is our compass, your struggle is our struggle. Together, we will break the silence of the siege," it wrote.
Their vessels, carrying more than 500 volunteers, were allegedly sprayed with unidentified chemicals, hit by sound bombs and explosive flares, and had their communications jammed.
Crews reported hearing 15 to 16 drones and 13 explosions on or around several boats during the night.
A brief video appeared on their social media pages showing what appeared to be an explosion near one of the vessels.
After the attack from Israel, no injuries were reported, and Greece’s coast guard did not report any distress calls.
However, the team said the attack was "psychological warfare from Israel".