Gaza/Mediterranean Sea — An aid ship headed to Gaza carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and other international figures was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, sparking international condemnation and legal concerns.
The ship, named Madleen, was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which was delivering humanitarian supplies such as baby formula, food, and medicine to Gaza. Gaza has been under full blockade for 11 weeks amid an ongoing war that has lasted over 600 days.
According to FFC, Israeli forces boarded the ship unlawfully in international waters. Videos posted online show Israeli soldiers detaining passengers and offering them food. Thunberg and others are seen seated, wearing life vests.
In response, the Israeli Foreign Ministry called the mission a “publicity stunt,” claiming there are “legal” ways to deliver aid. It stated the goods would be delivered through official humanitarian channels.
FFC and legal experts have accused Israel of violating international law, especially after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza. The group says this seizure amounts to kidnapping and piracy.
Thunberg, speaking in a pre-recorded video, said, “If you’re seeing this, we’ve been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli forces.”
In a controversial move, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the detained activists will be shown videos of Hamas’ October 7 attacks to “educate” them.
Meanwhile, protests erupted in Ashdod, Israel, with activists calling for the release of the detained volunteers. Some Israelis criticized the demonstrators, calling them “traitors.”
The Madleen had departed Sicily on Friday and was being tracked online before communications were lost. Another ship from the same coalition, the Conscience, was reportedly attacked by a drone in May near Malta.