Israel On Monday he intercepted a boat that offered humanitarian aid in Palestine. The ship, the Madleen, carried activists, which included Greta Thunberg.
All passengers are currently detained by the Israeli government after being redirected to the port of Ashdod in Israel.
Greta Thunberg between intercepted activists in international waters
Thunberg and other passengers on board the Madleen were stopped in international waters when they were trying to give humanitarian aid to Gaza. The ship left Sicily on June 1, according to Newsweek. Operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coallation (FFC), it carried food, infants formula and medical supplies for Gaza residents.
In April 2025, the United Nations issued an evaluation that indicated that one in five Gaza residents faced hunger. There are currently 2 million people living in the city.
“If you see this video, we have been intercepted and abducted in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces or forces that support Israel,” Thunberg said in a pre-gravat video published by the FFC.
The group invited passengers to record messages before their trip to prepare for the possibility of interception.
UN expert urges global support to Gaza despite Israeli blockade
Francesca Albanese, a special relationship of human rights in the Palestinian territories of the United Nations, encouraged continued efforts to challenge Israel’s blockade.
“Madleen’s trip may have ended, but the mission is not over. All Mediterranean ports must send ships with help and solidarity to Gaza,” he wrote on social media, as they were The independent.
Israel defends actions, cites security concerns and October 7 attack
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a video showing activists carrying life jackets and received food and water. The ministry stated that all passengers would be returned to their respective countries and that humanitarian aid would be transferred to Gaza following the Israeli procedures.
The Government added that breaching the current blockade is “illegal” and contradicts “in progress humanitarian efforts”. He also said that Madleen passengers will show videos of October 7, 2023, Hamas Attack in Israel on arrival in Ashdod.
The attack on October 7 led to the death of more than 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 250 more, which were hostage to Gaza. The attack caused a military response from Israel, which has led to more than 54,000 Palestinian deaths, said the independent.
In May, another humanitarian ship sent by the FFC, consciousness, was damaged by a drone strike near Malta. The group attributed the attack to Israel, although the Israeli government has not commented.
