Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Other Activists

Israeli forces on Monday intercepted and detained a vessel attempting to reach Gaza as part of a humanitarian mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The boat, named Madleen, was carrying Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other international figures.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it had taken control of the Madleen and its passengers, diverting the vessel to an Israeli port. According to an IDF statement, the vessel was warned via international maritime communication systems that it was entering a restricted zone off the coast of Gaza.

A video released by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows a Navy officer instructing the activists to turn back and deliver aid through official, established channels. The video also refers to the vessel as a “selfie yacht,” a term used by the ministry in its social media communications.

All passengers on board were reported safe and unharmed. The ministry stated they were provided with food and water upon being detained. “The show is over,” read a statement posted by the ministry on X (formerly Twitter).

The interception followed days of Israeli officials vowing to block the Freedom Flotilla from reaching Gaza. The initiative, which departed from Catania, Italy, on June 1, aimed to deliver humanitarian aid and draw attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

In addition to Thunberg, the vessel carried 11 other activists, including Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassa, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian descent. The boat flew a Palestinian flag during its voyage.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry downplayed the quantity of aid aboard, saying it amounted to less than a single truckload. “The small amount of aid not consumed by the celebrities will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,” the ministry said.

Following the interception, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered that the activists be shown footage of the October 7 Hamas attacks as part of the government’s response to the attempted breach of the naval blockade.

With input from Fox News