Israel seizes Gaza aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the seizure of the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, which had Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on board along with other international activists. According to the ministry, the passengers, who were part of a humanitarian mission aiming to deliver supplies directly to the Gaza Strip, will be repatriated to their respective home countries. The vessel was intercepted by the Israeli Navy as it attempted to breach the naval blockade imposed on Gaza. Officials stated that while the ship violated established maritime protocols, the humanitarian aid it was carrying would not go to waste. The Foreign Ministry assured that the seized supplies would be transferred to Gaza through the existing and recognized humanitarian corridors, which are coordinated with international aid organizations and monitored for security purposes. Israel emphasized that it remains committed to facilitating the delivery of aid to Gaza in a manner that does not compromise regional security or bypass regulated procedures. The ministry further stated that international cooperation and adherence to lawful methods are essential in addressing humanitarian needs without undermining security operations. No reports of injuries or confrontations during the boarding of the ship have been confirmed so far.
Jerusalem: Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid vessel, the Madleen, early Monday, detaining Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other international volunteers aboard. The action, part of Israel’s enforcement of a longstanding naval blockade on Gaza, comes amid heightened restrictions during its ongoing war with Hamas.
The boat, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was carrying humanitarian aid including baby formula, food, and medical supplies. It aimed to protest Israel’s blockade and deliver essential items to Palestinians suffering amid a growing humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.
“The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo confiscated,” the coalition said. It also shared pre-recorded messages from the activists, including Thunberg, who appealed for public pressure on Sweden to secure their release.
Hassan has previously been denied entry to Israel for her outspoken criticism of Israeli policies toward Palestinians. Her presence drew additional international attention to the operation.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the voyage as a “public relations stunt,” calling the Madleen “the selfie yacht of the celebrities” in a post on social media platform X. The ministry stated that the passengers would be returned to their home countries and assured that the aid onboard would be processed and delivered to Gaza through “established humanitarian channels.” It also released footage appearing to show Israeli military personnel distributing sandwiches and water to the detained activists, who were seen in orange life vests.
The incident marks the second failed attempt by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to breach the naval blockade in recent months. In May, another of its vessels was reportedly attacked by drones in international waters near Malta, damaging the ship and forcing it to turn back.
The Gaza blockade has been in place in various forms since 2007, when Hamas took control of the territory from rival Palestinian factions. Israel, with Egypt’s cooperation, has since restricted the movement of goods and people in and out of the enclave, citing security concerns. Critics argue that the blockade constitutes collective punishment of Gaza’s population, which now numbers more than 2 million.
After completely sealing Gaza off in the days following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel — in which 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and 251 hostages taken — Israel began easing restrictions under intense international pressure, particularly from the United States. In March, it again tightened controls, blocking all imports, including food, fuel, and medicine, ahead of renewed military operations.
Humanitarian agencies have warned that famine is imminent in parts of Gaza unless the blockade is lifted and aid is allowed to flow freely. Though some limited aid has been let in since April, most of Gaza’s 2 million residents remain almost entirely dependent on international humanitarian efforts for survival.
The ongoing Israeli offensive has devastated the territory. More than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which states that women and children make up the majority of the dead. However, the ministry does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties. Israel contends that a significant portion of the dead are Hamas fighters and has accused the group of using civilian infrastructure as shields.
The military campaign has reduced large swathes of Gaza to rubble, destroyed essential services, and displaced nearly 90 percent of its population. Human rights organizations and international watchdogs have raised concerns about the proportionality of Israel’s actions and the immense civilian toll.
As of now, Hamas is still believed to be holding 55 hostages from the October 7 attack, though Israeli authorities estimate that more than half of them may already be dead. Periodic ceasefires have led to the release of some captives, but negotiations remain fraught and unstable.
While Israel insists it will continue to prevent unauthorized access to Gaza’s coastline for security reasons, critics argue that such enforcement exacerbates the suffering of an already devastated population and undermines efforts to provide urgent aid.
As diplomatic and public pressure builds, particularly from Europe, the fate of detained activists like Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan — as well as the future of humanitarian access to Gaza — remains a highly sensitive issue on the international stage.