Scoop: Greta Thunberg's Freedom Flotilla Intercepted, Activists Detained by Israeli Forces
Israel intercepts and redirects aid vessel destined for Gaza, advocates urged to return to their home countries - Israel Intercepts Aid Ship Bound for Gaza, Demands Activists Return Home
Here's the lowdown on the recent escapade of climate crusader, Greta Thunberg, and her Gaza-bound voyage on the Madleen, a sailing ship loaded with humanitarian aid.
The vessel, rallying against Israel's ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip, was stopped in its tracks by Israeli forces on June 9, 2025, roughly 110 nautical miles from the Palestinian territory. A dozen activists, including Thunberg, were promptly detained by Israeli soldiers.
Israeli officials confirmed that the Madleen was now anchored within their borders. In a statement, they mentioned they'd deliver the modest reserves of aid supplies from the yacht to the Gaza Strip through established channels [1].
Before the incident, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the organization backing the mission, had declared on messaging service Telegram that Israeli troops had halted the sailing ship and had illegally captured its crew. Contact with the ship and the activists aboard had gone dark [2].
Even news agency AFP couldn't reach the FFC team. Mahmud Abu-Odeh, the German-based FFC spokesperson, informed AFP that the detained activists appeared to be in Israeli custody [2].
The voyage commenced a week prior from Sicily, with the intent of breaching the blockade and denouncing the continuous suffering in the Gaza Strip [2]. EU parliamentarian Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian, endorsed the mission's objectives [3]. On Saturday, satellite imagery showed the ship in Egyptian waters, en route to the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz commanded the army to stop the ship's approach to the Gaza coastline. In a statement from his office, he scorned Thunberg and her companions, derisively dubbing them "the antisemite" and "mouthpiece of Hamas propaganda," urging them to turn back [2].
Thunberg initially planned a Gaza visit in early May but had to abandon the voyage when her ship was damaged in transit. Suspicions arose that Israeli forces had used a drone for the attack, as Thunberg is a regular participant in pro-Palestinian protests [3].
Rima Hassan, affiliated with France's far-left party LFI, faces criticism due to her speech about the war in the Palestinian territory. She was reportedly barred from Israel in February, during an EU parliamentary tour [3].
The protracted conflict instigated when Hamas and its allies launched a massive attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, causing around 1210 casualties, as per Israeli statistics. Approximately 251 hostages were snared in the Gaza Strip.
In reprisal to the Hamas attack, Israel has carried out extensive military operations in the Gaza Strip. Data from the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry reveals more than 54,880 deaths so far, with the majority being civilians [1]. The UN concurs with these figures [1]. The worsening state of affairs in Gaza has become a global concern, with humanitarian aid being discontinued due to the Israeli blockade.
Sources:
[1] AFP (2025, June 10). Israel seizes Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg. Retrieved from https://afp.com/en/press-agency/israel-seizes-gaza-bound-aid-ship-carrying-greta-thunberg
[2] Wright, A. (2025, June 10). Greta Thunberg's Gaza-bound mission intercepted by Israeli forces. Retrieved from https://freedomflotilla.org/greta-thunbergs-gaza-bound-mission-intercepted-by-israeli-forces/
[3] SBS News (2025, June 11). Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid ship intercepted by Israeli forces. Retrieved from https://www.sbs.com.au/news/greta-thunbergs-gaza-aid-ship-intercepted-by-israeli-forces
Keywords:
Greta ThunbergGaza StripShipIsraelAFPEuropean UnionYasemin AcarMessaging serviceMilitary operationsHamasPalestinian territoryGreta's interceptionIsraeli blockadeSicily
- The European Union, particularly its Parliament, has shown increased interest in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, with EU parliamentarian Rima Hassan publicly endorsing Greta Thunberg's mission aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade.
- Amidst the politics surrounding war-and-conflicts, news outlets such as AFP reported on the general news of Greta Thunberg's Freedom Flotilla's interception by Israeli forces, resulting in the detainment of numerous activists, including Thunberg herself.
