Early Monday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry reported that a Gaza-bound vessel carrying around a dozen pro-Palestinian activists and a small load of humanitarian aid had been intercepted and redirected toward Israel’s coast. The passengers, it added, would be sent back to their home countries.
A day earlier, Israel had vowed to block the ship’s arrival in Gaza, declaring it would use “any means necessary” to uphold its naval blockade on the territory.
The vessel, named Madleen, is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a global activist network opposing the long-standing Gaza blockade. The ship left Sicily on June 1 and included prominent passengers like Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate advocate, and Rima Hassan, a European Parliament member.
On social media, the Israeli foreign ministry mocked the effort, referring to the boat as a "selfie yacht" filled with "celebrities" and accused Greta and others of staging a publicity stunt. The ministry later shared a video claiming to show the passengers in life vests, being provided with food and water.
Shortly before that, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition had posted that drones were spotted above the ship, followed by a loss of communication. The group accused Israeli forces of seizing the activists.
Footage from early Monday reportedly shows people aboard the Madleen wearing orange life jackets, with a bright vessel approaching. Moments later, individuals are seen boarding the ship.
The Gaza blockade, enforced by Israel with support from Egypt, has been in place since 2007, following the Hamas takeover of the territory. Israeli officials insist the blockade is essential to stop weapon smuggling into Gaza.
In the nearly two years of war since the October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels. Israel had completely halted aid for 80 consecutive days, pushing Gaza to the edge of famine, according to international relief agencies. A new aid delivery system has since been introduced, but it has been plagued by violence and rejected by key humanitarian organizations.
Though the Madleen’s aid cargo was minimal, Israel dismissed it as “less than a truckload”. Yet, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition insisted it carried critical supplies like baby formula, rice, diapers, medical goods, and even prosthetic limbs for children.
On Sunday, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the military to stop the ship. In a blunt message, he labeled Thunberg an antisemite and accused the activists of being Hamas sympathizers, warning:
“Turn around. You will not reach Gaza. Israel will confront any attempt—by land, air, or sea—to breach the blockade or aid terrorists.”
Thunberg, who has strongly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, defended the mission passionately:
“We do this because when we stop trying, we lose our humanity. What’s truly dangerous is the world’s silence in the face of live-streamed atrocities.”
Israel has previously used force to intercept sea-based aid missions. One of the most infamous incidents occurred in 2010, when Israeli commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish ship carrying aid, killing nine passengers during a violent confrontation. A tenth later died from injuries. Israel claimed its forces were attacked with metal rods and knives after boarding the ship.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition still considers that raid a “deadly and unlawful assault”. The current mission, they say, is part of a continued stand against complicity, fear, and silence.
Another ship from the coalition, named Conscience, departed Tunisia in late April. It was meant to pick up more activists—including Thunberg—in Malta, but explosions off the coast damaged the ship and forced the crew to abandon the voyage. No one was hurt.
In recent weeks, Israel unveiled a new plan to deliver aid without involving Hamas. However, its launch was marred by violent clashes, with Israeli forces firing on desperate civilians gathering at aid drop sites, killing and injuring many.
This controversial system is being managed by American contractors through the newly formed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. But major groups like the United Nations and global NGOs are boycotting it, accusing Israel of politicizing aid.
The foundation claims it distributed over 1.1 million meals on Sunday across three locations, and separately sent 11 trucks of food to local leaders in a test program meant to ease crowding.
But on Saturday, the foundation said it had to suspend operations, alleging that Hamas threatened local workers. A spokesperson even shared a written threat warning staff of “serious consequences” if they continued working on the project.
Description:
"A Gaza-bound aid ship carrying activists, including Greta Thunberg, was intercepted by Israel amid rising tensions over the blockade of Gaza. This article covers the Madleen mission, Israel’s military response, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the global outcry over aid access and political resistance. Dive into the latest on the Freedom Flotilla, media accusations, and unfolding geopolitical drama in the region."