Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Ship, Detains Greta Thunberg and Activists
Israeli naval forces intercepted the Gaza-bound aid vessel “Madleen” in international waters during the night of June 8-9, 2025, detaining all activists on board, including world-renowned Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan. The ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the long-standing Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip before being diverted to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
The interception brings the contentious issue of the Gaza blockade, in place since 2007, back into the global spotlight, amplified significantly by the involvement of a high-profile international figure like Thunberg. The Israeli government defends the blockade as a necessary security measure to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas, while organizers of the flotilla condemn the seizure as a violation of international law and an obstruction of humanitarian aid to a region facing a dire crisis.
A Tense Interception at Sea
The “Madleen,” a British-flagged yacht, was boarded by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) after departing from Sicily on June 1. According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the incident occurred in international waters as the vessel approached the Gazan coast. Activists on board posted videos to social media showing Israeli boats surrounding them before communications were lost. One activist, Thiago Avila of Brazil, posted a video stating, “The IOF [Israel Occupation Forces] is here right now… a war crime is happening right now”.
Photos posted by MEP Rima Hassan from the ship showed activists in life jackets with their hands in the air. The IDF later confirmed the interception, stating it had warned the vessel to change course before naval forces, reportedly including Shayetet 13 commandos, boarded the ship.
Conflicting Reactions and Justifications
The Israeli government has remained firm in its position. Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to stop what he labeled a “hate flotilla,” stating, “To the antisemitic Greta [Thunberg] and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I say clearly: you should turn back – because you will not reach Gaza”. The Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed the mission as a “media gimmick”.
Conversely, flotilla organizers have labeled the seizure an act of “piracy” and a violation of international law. Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organizer, stated, “This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza… their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately”.
The Gaza Blockade and a History of Flotillas
Israel has maintained a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Israel argues the blockade is essential for its security to prevent weapons smuggling. However, critics, including the United Nations, have condemned the blockade’s severe impact on Gaza’s civilian population, describing it as a form of collective punishment.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has organized several similar missions over the years to challenge the blockade, with many resulting in interception by Israeli forces. The current mission gained heightened international attention due to the participation of Thunberg, who stated her purpose was to “challenge Israel’s illegal siege” and highlight the humanitarian crisis. The symbolic cargo aboard the “Madleen” included items such as baby formula, flour, diapers, and medical supplies.
Israeli officials have indicated the detained activists, who hail from Sweden, France, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, and Spain, will be deported. The incident guarantees renewed media coverage and diplomatic focus on the complex and long-standing issue of the Gaza blockade.
