In a significant development, Israel has intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship, the Madleen, which carried renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg along with other prominent activists. The Israeli military detained everyone onboard and redirected the vessel to Israel, raising concerns about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) reported that the Israeli military boarded the Madleen while it was en route to deliver essential aid to Gaza. Israel's Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that “the passengers are expected to return to their home countries.” Notable figures onboard included Thunberg, “Game of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham, and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.
Early on Monday, the FFC shared a photo on Telegram showing crew members aboard the ship wearing life jackets with their hands raised, indicating a distress situation. The image notably lacked any visible presence of Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers. According to the FFC, the ship experienced significant aggression while in international waters, including surveillance from Israeli quadcopters that reportedly sprayed the vessel with a white substance, jamming communications and broadcasting disturbing sounds.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously declared that he instructed the IDF to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, describing it as a “selfie yacht” carrying “celebrities.” The aid boat first reported military activity from Israel in the early hours of Monday. Huwaida Arraf, a member of the Freedom Flotilla steering committee, informed CNN that Israeli drones had dropped a white chemical on the ship, which was then reportedly surrounded by Israeli naval commandos.
During a livestream from the Madleen, activist Yasmin Acar displayed the white substance on the deck and expressed concern that it was affecting her vision. The livestream concluded with Acar indicating that the Israeli military was communicating with those aboard the ship. Israel's Foreign Ministry dismissed the incident as a media provocation aimed at gaining publicity, emphasizing that there are legitimate methods for delivering aid to Gaza.
The Madleen is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an organization that has long campaigned against Israel’s blockade of Gaza and aims to break the siege through maritime efforts. The crew had proactively publicized the location of the ship using an online tracker, preparing for the possibility of interception by Israeli forces. By Monday morning, the UK-flagged vessel was located north of Egypt in the Mediterranean, making its way slowly towards Gaza's coast.
Thunberg, speaking to CNN prior to the interception, acknowledged the risks associated with the mission, noting that past flotillas had faced violence and even fatalities. Despite a recent easing of the blockade that had restricted humanitarian aid to Gaza for 11 weeks, the amount of aid being allowed in remains minimal compared to pre-war levels. Humanitarian organizations have issued warnings regarding a worsening crisis and an escalating risk of widespread famine in the region.
In a video shared on X, an Israeli Navy staffer was recorded communicating with the Madleen, reiterating that the maritime zone off Gaza's coast is closed to traffic. The Navy emphasized the necessity for aid to be delivered through established channels, underscoring the dangers and illegality of unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade. The ministry called for responsible actions to ensure humanitarian aid is coordinated through legitimate mechanisms rather than provocations.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
