Israeli forces have assumed control of a charity vessel that attempted to breach a naval blockade of Gaza. The boat, carrying a crew of 12 including activist Greta Thunberg, is now en route to a port in Israel, officials stated.
The British-flagged yacht Madleen, managed by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), aimed to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza later on Monday while raising international awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
According to the FFC on its Telegram account, the vessel was boarded overnight before it could reach the shore. The Israeli Foreign Ministry later confirmed that it was now under their control.
Greta Thunberg is seen on board the Madleen after it was seized by Israeli forces (Image: Israeli Foreign Ministry)
The Israeli ministry referred to the ship as a “selfie yacht” filled with “celebrities,” adding that it was “safely making its way to the shores of Israel.” It also stated that the passengers “are expected to return to their home countries,” ensuring that all were safe and unharmed.
“The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2 AM,” Ms. Hassan posted on X.
The last image of the crew. pic.twitter.com/PkYQSLa3Ri
— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) June 9, 2025
A photograph represented the crew seated on the boat, all wearing life jackets with their hands raised. The yacht is transporting a small shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula. The Israeli Foreign Ministry indicated that these supplies would be sent to Gaza.
“The minimal amount of aid remaining on the yacht and not utilized by the ‘celebrities’ will be delivered to Gaza through legitimate humanitarian channels,” it stated.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed the military yesterday to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, deeming the endeavor a propaganda effort in support of Hamas. Israel has enforced a naval blockade on the coastal enclave since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.
Watch: Tracker shows Madleen’s position before seizure by Israeli forces
The blockade has persisted through numerous conflicts, including the ongoing war that commenced after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 fatalities, according to Israeli estimates.
Over 54,000 Palestinians have reportedly died since the inception of Israel’s military operations, as stated by Gaza’s health ministry.
The United Nations has warned that the majority of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents are facing famine. The Israeli government asserts that the blockade is vital to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas.
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, has expressed support for the FFC operation and called on other vessels to challenge the Gaza blockade yesterday.
“Madleen’s journey may have concluded, but the mission continues. Every Mediterranean port must dispatch boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza,” she wrote on X.
