Israeli forces have intercepted a boat attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in defiance of Israel’s longstanding naval blockade. The vessel, the Madleen, has since been diverted to Israel.
Among those on board were climate activist Greta Thunberg, a French lawmaker from the European Parliament, and Omar Faiad, a journalist with Al Jazeera. Faiad was broadcasting live from the boat until communication was cut off during the Israeli navy’s interception.
In footage shared by Al Jazeera, passengers are seen sitting around a table with their arms raised, illuminated by lights from outside. A loudspeaker can be heard instructing them: “Don’t be afraid.” One crew member tells the group to “assume their positions,” and adds, “We are being intercepted right now.” A voice is then heard ordering that “phones are thrown into the water,” though it is unclear who issued the command.
Activists on aid boat for Gaza to be shown Hamas atrocities
Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the mission as a “selfie yacht,” stating the boat was “safely making its way to the shores of Israel.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to show the passengers footage from the October 7th Hamas attack upon their arrival in Israel.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Gallant accused Thunberg and other activists aboard the Madleen of supporting Hamas, calling it “appropriate” that they see the atrocities committed “against women, the elderly, and children, and against whom Israel is fighting to defend itself.” He said the group would be taken to the Israeli port city of Ashdod.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the UK and other countries, launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claims over 50,000 Palestinians have since been killed.
Greta Thunberg, 22, rose to prominence as the face of youth climate activism in 2018 and has since become a vocal opponent of the war in Gaza. She was previously scheduled to join a different Freedom Flotilla mission in May, but that attempt was aborted after one of the group’s vessels, the Conscience, was allegedly targeted by drones in international waters off Malta.
Ahead of the departure of the Madleen, Thunberg stated: “We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying.”
The Madleen, a British-flagged ship operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), aimed to deliver a symbolic amount of aid and draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
A FFC spokesperson said the vessel was intercepted overnight prior to reaching the coastline, calling the operation an “unlawful boarding” and alleging that its “unarmed civilian crew [was] abducted” and its cargo—including baby formula, food, and medical supplies—confiscated.
Related: Greek Drone Sparks Alarm on Greta Thunberg’s Humanitarian Gaza Flotilla
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