"Selfie Yacht" Incident: Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Ship with Thunberg on Board
Israeli authorities halt vessel bound for Gaza, carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg
After a long sail across the Mediterranean, Greta Thunberg and a crew of activists found themselves facing Israeli forces, halting their mission to deliver aid to the people of Gaza. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the interception of the "Maden," a vessel carrying symbolic relief, on its way to Gaza.
Behind the Scenes Humanitarian Aid Mission to Gaza Disrupted by Israel The activists, aboard the resilient sailing ship, had set sail from Sicily with the aim of drawing international attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Their sought-after destination was the coast of Gaza, scheduled for arrival on Monday morning. However, their mission was abruptly disrupted when Israeli troops intercepted them in international waters early Monday.
According to the reports, the Israeli soldiers boarded the vessel, which was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) to deliver essential supplies such as rice, flour, baby formula, and medical aid to the people in Gaza. Israeli authorities claimed that the ship and its cargo, derisively referred to as a "selfie yacht," were safely escorted to an Israeli port, and the activists would be deported to their home countries. Meanwhile, the FFC and other human rights organizations voiced their disagreement, accusing Israel of confiscating the crew and cargo[1][2][3].
Under the Spotlight Intervention Sparks Controversy: Israel vs. Human Rights Groups The FFC and Amnesty International have vehemently criticized the interception, declaring it a violation of international law and the binding orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which mandate unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, deemed the operation a breach of Israel’s obligations towards civilians in Gaza and reiterated that the unarmed activists were on a peaceful, humanitarian mission[3].
Israeli authorities, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, defended the action, asserting that the naval blockade is necessary to prevent Hamas from importing arms. Katz also made contentious comments targeting Thunberg and the activists, labelling them as “Hamas propagandists” and reaffirming that they would not be permitted to reach Gaza[2].
As of now, Thunberg has been reportedly deported following the interception[1]. Human rights organizations continue to demand the release of all crew members and the protection of humanitarian access to Gaza[3].
- Gaza Strip
- Israel Naval Blockade
- Greta Thunberg
- Israel Humanitarian Access
- Freedom Flotilla Coalition
Source: ntv.de, mdi/dpa Additional Resources:[1] Al Jazeera, June 8, 2025; [2] The Times of Israel, June 9, 2025; [3] Amnesty International Press Release, June 9, 2025.
The controversial interception of Greta Thunberg and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's ship, dubbed the "Maden," in international waters by Israeli forces during their humanitarian mission to Gaza sparked international outrage. This incident raises concerns about politics and crime-and-justice, as well as war-and-conflicts, further straining the already tense general-news landscape between Gaza and Israel. Despite the Israeli authorities' insistence that the naval blockade is necessary for security reasons, the extension of the period of validity of the agreement between the two parties to cover the period from 1 January to 31 December becomes increasingly significant in the context of continued disagreements and allegations of violations of international law.
