Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Boat and Detain Greta Thunberg Alongside Activists

Israeli naval forces intercepted a vessel carrying humanitarian aid and detained high-profile activists, including climate advocate Greta Thunberg, as the ship attempted to breach the blockade of the Gaza Strip early Monday. The incident comes amid heightened tensions over the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict and renewed scrutiny of humanitarian access to the besieged Palestinian territory.

The operation targeted the Madleen, a boat operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had departed from Sicily with the stated aim of delivering life-saving supplies—such as baby formula, food, and medical equipment—to Gaza and protesting Israel’s blockade policies. According to the coalition, Israeli forces boarded the ship in international waters, detaining the crew and passengers. In pre-recorded messages released after the interception, Thunberg and other activists called for public pressure on their governments to secure their immediate release.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the flotilla as a publicity effort, emphasizing that “the ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel.” The ministry stated that the detained activists would soon be repatriated and pledged that the humanitarian cargo would be processed through established aid channels into Gaza. Footage released by authorities showed Israeli personnel providing food and water to the detainees as they awaited transfer.

Among those on board was Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian descent, who has previously been barred from entering Israel due to her criticism of Israeli policies. The Madleen’s journey also drew attention last week after it stopped to rescue four migrants left adrift near Libyan waters, further highlighting the perilous conditions faced by refugees in the region.

The interception follows an earlier attempt by the Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza in May, which was thwarted when another vessel suffered damage from drone attacks while sailing off the coast of Malta. The group has accused Israel of responsibility for that strike.

Since 2007, Israel and Egypt have maintained varying degrees of restrictions on Gaza, citing security concerns after Hamas took control of the territory. However, human rights groups argue that the blockade constitutes collective punishment for Gaza’s roughly two million residents, particularly as humanitarian needs intensify during the current military campaign. While Israel began allowing some basics into Gaza last month after a period of total closure, aid organizations warn that famine is imminent unless access restrictions are significantly eased and hostilities halt.

The current round of conflict erupted following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths—mostly civilians—and the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel’s response has left over 54,000 Palestinians dead, according to figures from Gaza health officials, and rendered vast swathes of the strip uninhabitable.

With around 90% of Gaza’s population now displaced and entirely dependent on international aid, the latest flotilla interception underscores both the urgency of humanitarian relief efforts and the enduring controversy surrounding Israel’s enforcement of the blockade. International calls for increased aid access and a cessation of hostilities continue, as the humanitarian crisis deepens and diplomatic solutions remain elusive.