Greta Thunberg, Activists on Gaza Aid Boat ‘Kidnapped’ and Diverted by Israel

Israel, 9 June 2025: Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid vessel carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists early on Monday, redirecting it to Israel in enforcement of a longstanding blockade on the Palestinian territory that has been further tightened during the war with Hamas.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the journey to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and protest against Israel's blockade and wartime actions, said the activists had been "kidnapped by Israeli forces" and released pre-recorded messages from them.

"The selfie yacht of the celebrities is safely making its way to the shores of Israel," the Foreign Ministry said in a social media post. "The passengers are expected to return to their home countries."

It stated that the humanitarian aid on board would be delivered to Gaza through established channels. It later shared footage showing what appeared to be Israeli military personnel distributing sandwiches and water to the activists, who were wearing orange life vests.

Thunberg, a climate activist, was among 12 individuals aboard the Madleen, which had departed from Sicily a week ago. En route, the vessel had stopped on Thursday to rescue four migrants who had leapt overboard to avoid detention by the Libyan coast guard.

Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian descent, was also among the volunteers on board. She has been prohibited from entering Israel due to her opposition to Israeli policies concerning the Palestinians.

Following a two-and-a-half-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel began allowing limited basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers have warned of potential famine unless the blockade is lifted and Israel halts its military campaign.

A previous attempt last month by the Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the ship's front section.

Israel and Egypt have imposed various degrees of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized control from rival Palestinian factions in 2007. Critics argue the blockade amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's approximately 2 million residents.

Israel completely sealed off Gaza from aid in the early days of the war triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, but later eased restrictions under US pressure. In early March, shortly before Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, it again halted all imports, including food, fuel and medicine.

Courtesy: The Telegraph