The Israeli military has intercepted a humanitarian vessel headed for Gaza and detained its passengers, including renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament.
The ship, Madleen, was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a civil society-led initiative aimed at delivering urgently needed aid to Gaza amid Israel’s ongoing blockade and military campaign.
According to the FFC, the vessel was “unlawfully boarded” in international waters and its crew “kidnapped” in what the group described as a flagrant violation of international law.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the seizure early Monday, stating the Madleen was being escorted to Israeli shores and that all passengers would be deported to their home countries.
In a video shared by the ministry showed activists seated calmly on the boat in life vests, with Israeli personnel distributing water and packaged food. Thunberg was visible among the group.
The Madleen was reportedly carrying baby formula, food supplies, and medical equipment—aid the FFC said was urgently needed by Gaza’s besieged 2.1 million residents.
Over 600 days of war and an 11-week near-total blockade have driven the enclave into a severe humanitarian crisis, with famine-like conditions now reported.
Human rights lawyer and flotilla organizer Huwaida Arraf condemned the seizure. “Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers in international waters,” she said. “This act defies international law and the binding orders of the International Court of Justice calling for unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.”
In a pre-recorded video released by the FFC after contact with the vessel was lost, Thunberg stated: “If you are seeing this, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli forces or their allies.”
In another livestreamed clip from onboard, activist Yasemin Acar showed a white substance on the deck, claiming it had been dropped onto the vessel. She later reported that it was affecting her vision.
Israel has defended the seizure, calling the Madleen a “publicity stunt” and accusing the activists of political grandstanding.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had previously vowed the vessel would not be allowed to reach Gaza and referred to the mission as a “selfie yacht filled with celebrities.” After the detentions, Israeli authorities stated they would screen footage of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks for the activists upon their arrival at Ashdod Port.
Israel also stated that the seized aid cargo would be “inspected and transferred to Gaza via established humanitarian channels,” though aid organizations have long criticized the efficiency and impartiality of such systems.
While Israel maintains its actions were necessary for national security, critics argue that the interception in international waters combined with the blocking of vital humanitarian aid violates international maritime and humanitarian law.
The Freedom Flotilla marks the latest attempt by global civil society actors to break the siege on Gaza, recalling the deadly 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, in which 10 activists were killed during an Israeli naval raid on a similar aid flotilla.
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