Israeli forces seize Gaza-bound aid ship, detain Greta Thunberg

June 9, 2025 by News Desk

Israeli forces seized a Gaza-bound aid vessel early Monday, detaining Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 others on board as the boat attempted to breach the naval blockade of the Palestinian territory. The seizure comes amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and mounting international concerns over humanitarian access to the besieged enclave.

The boat, named Madleen, was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s mission to deliver essential aid—including baby formula, food, and medical supplies—to Gaza’s 2 million residents, many of whom face the risk of famine due to Israel’s blockade and bombardment. The coalition described the operation as a peaceful humanitarian mission, accusing Israeli forces of “unlawfully boarding the vessel,” abducting the unarmed crew, and confiscating its cargo.

“The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo confiscated,” the coalition said in a statement, calling the interception an act of piracy.

Thunberg, who had joined the voyage to protest Israel’s military campaign and aid restrictions, issued a pre-recorded message shortly after the interception. “I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible,” she said.

Also among the detained was Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian origin. Hassan has previously been barred from entering Israel due to her criticism of the country’s treatment of Palestinians.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry downplayed the incident, calling the mission a “public relations stunt” and referring to the Madleen as a “selfie yacht of the ‘celebrities’.” The ministry said the activists would be returned to their respective countries and the seized aid would be transferred to Gaza through established channels. It also released footage of Israeli personnel distributing sandwiches and water to the detained activists, all wearing orange life vests.

The Madleen had departed from Sicily a week earlier, making a stop last Thursday to rescue four migrants who had jumped into the Mediterranean Sea to escape the Libyan coast guard.

This is the second such attempt by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to reach Gaza by sea in recent weeks. A previous mission was disrupted in international waters near Malta when a vessel was reportedly attacked by two drones. Organizers blamed Israel for the incident, which left the ship’s front section damaged.

Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Although some aid has been allowed in since March under international pressure, humanitarian groups continue to warn of an imminent famine unless access is significantly expanded and the military offensive ends.

The Israeli blockade—tightened during the ongoing war—is now in its 18th year. While Israel claims it is necessary to prevent arms from reaching Hamas, critics argue it constitutes collective punishment of the civilian population.— With agency inputs