Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists early today, diverting it to Israel. The interception enforces a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory, tightened amid the ongoing war with Hamas.

Senator Peter Welch of Vermont is urging the Trump administration to pressure Israel to lift a nearly three-month blockade of essential supplies into Gaza, calling the situation ‘catastrophic’.

Humanitarian officials warn that famine may soon engulf Gaza as Israel blocks all food and supplies and intensifies its bombardment of the territory.

Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian assistance has forced a leading aid group in Gaza to shut down its community soup kitchens. Facing empty warehouses and no new supplies, the closures deepen the crisis in the war-battered enclave.