Israeli naval forces intercepted a British-flagged aid vessel Monday, June 9, that was attempting to breach the blockade of Gaza, detaining climate activist Greta Thunberg and a group of international volunteers. The yacht, Madleen, was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s mission to deliver humanitarian supplies and protest Israel’s restrictions on Gaza.
The Israeli military boarded the ship as it neared the enclave and redirected it toward the port of Ashdod. The military cited security concerns and called the operation legal under Israel’s blockade, which has been in place since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
Who was on board and what were they carrying?
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Since 2010, Israel has intercepted at least seven Gaza-bound aid boats, including the Mavi Marmara, part of a humanitarian flotilla that ended in a deadly raid, and the Zaytouna-Oliva, an all-female vessel stopped in 2016 without violence.
The vessel carried 12 activists, including Thunberg, French lawmaker Rima Hassan, Brazilian politician Thiago Ávila and several European volunteers. Organizers said the boat carried baby formula, food and medical supplies.
Thunberg described the mission as urgent in light of what she called a “live-streamed genocide” in Gaza. The crew also reported signal jamming and warned of a possible interception before boarding.
How has Israel responded?
Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the voyage a publicity stunt. Defense Minister Israel Katz accused the activists of supporting Hamas and said authorities would show them footage of Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack upon arrival.
Military footage released by Israeli authorities showed troops distributing food and water to the detained activists. Officials said they would send the aid to Gaza through approved Israeli channels and return the passengers to their home countries.
What has been the international reaction?
The human rights group Adalah claimed the seizure occurred in international waters and called it a breach of international law. French President Emmanuel Macron requested the prompt return of the six French citizens aboard.
Meanwhile, Francesca Albanese, the U.N. Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, urged Israel to release the Madleen, noting she had been in contact with the ship’s captain during the operation.
What is the broader context in Gaza?
The incident comes amid more than eight months of war in Gaza, where over 54,000 Palestinians have died, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israeli operations have displaced nearly 90% of the population, while aid organizations continue to warn of famine as restrictions block humanitarian deliveries.
