IDF apprehends Gaza-bound vessel with Greta Thunberg onboard amid escalating tensions

Israeli forces intercepted an aid boat bound for Gaza in the early hours of Monday, detaining climate activist Greta Thunberg and several others aboard. The vessel, named Madleen, was diverted to an Israeli port after being stopped by the Israeli Navy as it approached a maritime zone designated as restricted off the coast of Gaza.

The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the operation, stating that all passengers were detained without injury. A video released by Israeli authorities shows a Navy officer instructing the activists over the radio to turn away from the closed area and to deliver their humanitarian aid through established, approved channels. The officer emphasized that the coast of Gaza is entirely closed to unauthorized traffic, and that any aid deliveries must be coordinated through official routes due to ongoing security concerns in the region.

Among those on board the Madleen were high-profile figures such as 22-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, and Rima Hassa, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian descent. The group sailed under the banner of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, aiming to deliver aid directly to Gaza and draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding there.

The Foreign Ministry stated that the detained activists were provided food and water, reiterating that passenger safety was maintained throughout the incident. "The show is over," a spokesperson said, underlining Israel’s firm stance against unapproved attempts to breach its maritime blockade.

Officials also noted that the aid carried by the vessel amounted to less than a single truckload, and accused the activists of staging a publicity stunt. “The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the ‘celebrities’ will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,” an official statement read.

In anticipation of the flotilla’s arrival, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed authorities to screen sensitive footage from the October 7 attacks for the detained participants. This move signals Israel’s intent to contextualize its security measures in light of ongoing threats and recent violence originating from Gaza.

This latest maritime interception comes at a time of heightened tension in the region, with Israel vowing to prevent any unauthorized deliveries to Gaza and emphasizing the need for international aid efforts to work through official, monitored channels. The event underscores the complex interplay between humanitarian concerns and national security imperatives as the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains under intense global scrutiny.