Israeli naval forces seized a Gaza-bound aid vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) early Monday, intercepting the yacht Madleen in international waters before it could reach the besieged Gaza Strip. The crew of 12, including prominent Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, was taken into Israeli custody.
The yacht, sailing under a British flag, was attempting to deliver a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula, to raise international awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the vessel is en route to an Israeli port, adding that all crew members are “safe, unharmed, and were provided sandwiches and water.”
“The ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel,” the ministry stated on X, in a dismissive tone.
Crew Arrested in International Waters
According to FFC statements on Telegram and posts by Rima Hassan on social media platform X, the vessel was boarded around 2:00 a.m., with surveillance footage showing the crew raising their hands under spotlight conditions. Israeli officials described the mission as a “propaganda effort in support of Hamas,” with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordering the military to block the vessel.
Upon arrival at Ashdod Port, Israeli officials plan to show the activists videos of Hamas-led attacks from October 7, 2023, which marked the beginning of the current war. On that day, over 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 250 taken hostage in the surprise attack.
In response, Hamas condemned the seizure as “state terrorism,” praising the flotilla participants for their efforts. Gaza’s humanitarian situation has dramatically worsened in recent months. The United Nations estimates that more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s retaliatory operations began, with over 2 million civilians displaced and on the brink of famine.
While Israel maintains that its naval blockade, imposed since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, is necessary to prevent weapons smuggling, human rights groups have long criticized the blockade for worsening the humanitarian toll.
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories, expressed support for the flotilla’s mission. “Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza,” she said on X.
Despite the interception, the limited aid on board will be transferred to Gaza through official humanitarian channels, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed.
