Israeli military forces have intercepted a vessel in international waters carrying humanitarian aid and twelve international activists, including Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan, as it attempted to reach the Gaza Strip. The ship, named Madleen, was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and departed from Sicily on 1 June.
Israel actions in international waters
According to both FFC and Israeli authorities, the boarding occurred early Monday morning, approximately at 03:00 CEST, while the vessel was still in international waters. Activists on board claim they were “kidnapped” by Israeli forces and that communication systems were jammed prior to the boarding. They also reported being sprayed with a white, irritating substance by drones.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it had taken control of the Madleen and escorted it to Ashdod, a port in southern Israel. A statement published on X referred to the intercepted vessel as a “selfie yacht” and said, “All passengers are safe and unharmed. They were given sandwiches and water. The show is over.”
Humanitarian aid mission challenged by blockade enforcement
The activists stated their goal was twofold: to deliver humanitarian supplies including diapers, infant formula, flour, rice, and medical equipment, and to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has intensified since the Israel–Hamas war escalated in October 2023. The Israeli government, however, maintains that any such mission is a breach of its naval blockade, imposed to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry declared the aid will be redirected to Gaza via “real humanitarian channels” and dismissed the voyage as a publicity stunt. Defense Minister Israel Katz further stated that all activists would be shown footage of Hamas’ attacks from 7 October 2023 before being released, as a form of political education.
Reactions and diplomatic follow-up
Greta Thunberg, in a video recorded prior to the boarding and released by FFC, said: “If you see this video, we have been stopped and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupation forces.” She urged supporters to press the Swedish government to secure her and the other activists’ release.
The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged the incident and confirmed contact with Israeli authorities. “Should there be a need for consular assistance, the embassy and MFA will assess how to best support Greta Thunberg and the others,” a spokesperson told SVT Nyheter.
Meanwhile, the FFC reiterated that the mission aimed to challenge Israel’s blockade, which the group considers illegal under international law. They have also called attention to previous flotilla missions, some of which were met with military force, including a drone attack on another aid ship last month.
Israel actions: legal and geopolitical implications
The interception has been widely criticised as an unacceptable act by Israeli authorities. Beyond the blockade that has severely limited humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Israeli government is now using military force to obstruct humanitarian organisations operating in international waters. This escalation has drawn condemnation from legal experts and international observers concerned about the erosion of basic humanitarian principles.
The interception has reignited debate over the legality of Israel’s naval blockade and the use of military force in international waters. While Israel argues the blockade is a security measure justified under international law, critics—including several UN officials and human rights groups—have questioned its proportionality and humanitarian impact.
The incident underscores growing international scrutiny over the situation in Gaza, where access to food, medicine, and basic infrastructure has been severely restricted. As of June 2025, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war, and the humanitarian needs remain acute.
