On June 9, 2025, Israeli naval commandos intercepted the Madleen, a British-flagged yacht carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists, approximately 160 nautical miles from Gaza in international waters.
Operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the ship aimed to deliver symbolic humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007. The interception, ordered by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, has sparked global controversy.
🚨BREAKING: Israel intercepted Madleen Freedom Flotilla & kidnapped “arrested” 12 activists:
🇫🇷Baptiste Andre
🇫🇷Reva Viard
🇸🇪Greta Thunberg
🇫🇷Rima Hassan
🇹🇷Suayb Ordu
🇪🇸Sergio Toribio
🇳🇱Mark van Rennes
🇧🇷Thiago Avila
🇫🇷Omar Faiad
🇫🇷Yanis Mhamdi
🇫🇷Pascal Maurieras
🇩🇪Yasemin Acar pic.twitter.com/X0l5t8qktp
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) June 9, 2025The FFC reported that Israeli forces boarded the Madleen around 3:02 AM CET, detained the crew, including Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan, and confiscated aid such as rice and baby formula. Hassan posted on X, sharing images of activists in life jackets with hands raised and alleging the crew was “abducted.” The FFC stated that authorities jammed communications and called the action “unlawful.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the ship had diverted to Ashdod port, describing it as a “selfie yacht” for publicity and noting that over 1,200 aid trucks had entered Gaza in the past two weeks. Spokesperson Guy Nir told NDTV, “This is not aid but a publicity stunt,” and cited security checks to prevent weapons smuggling. Israel stated that the aid would transfer through established channels.
SOS! the volunteers on 'Madleen' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces.
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish citizen.
Pressure their foreign ministries and help us keep them safe!
Web: https://t.co/uCGmx8sn8j
X : @SweMFA
FB : @SweMFA
IG : swedishmfa#AllEyesOnMadeleen pic.twitter.com/76Myrg2Bnz
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 9, 2025The FFC, including Thunberg, condemned Israel’s blockade as illegal, emphasising their nonviolent mission to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, where over 54,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023, per Gaza health authorities. Thunberg stated, “The risk of silence is deadlier than this mission”. Conversely, Katz accused the activists of supporting Hamas, showing them videos of the October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.
Read: Israel Uncovers Hamas Tunnel Under Gaza Hospital, Confirms Mohammed Sinwar’s Death
This marks the FFC’s second attempt in 2025, after a May drone attack on their ship Conscience near Malta, which they attributed to Israel without confirmation. A 2010 FFC mission saw 10 activists killed during an Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara.
Gaza-bound ‘Freedom Flotilla Coalition’ boat carrying Greta Thunberg boarded by Israeli forces https://t.co/0PzsNhuCDT pic.twitter.com/SjE6tlAgn7
— New York Post (@nypost) June 9, 2025The interception has drawn international attention, with France and the UK monitoring due to citizens aboard. The UN has warned of famine risks in Gaza, criticising aid restrictions. The detained activists, including Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, are expected to be deported.
