Jerusalem [Israel], June 9: Israeli naval forces intercepted the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Madleen, carrying pro-Palestinian activists including renowned Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, early Monday morning, according to The Jerusalem Post. The boat, which set sail from Sicily’s Catania port on June 1, was halted near Gaza’s coast and redirected to Israel’s Port of Ashdod by the elite Shayetet 13 unit.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed the voyage as a “selfie yacht” publicity stunt, claiming it lacked any genuine humanitarian purpose. “While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation, over 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel in the past two weeks,” a ministry statement read.
Flotilla organizers, via Telegram updates, claimed their vessel was encircled by Israeli naval ships, sprayed with a white chemical irritant from drones, and subjected to electronic jamming just before being seized. Despite the tense interception, all passengers aboard were reported safe and given basic provisions. Anticipating arrest, several activists—including Thunberg—had recorded preemptive video statements alleging the risk of being “kidnapped” by Israeli forces.
Palestinian militant group Hamas reacted strongly, condemning the operation as “state terrorism” and a “blatant violation” of international law. In a Telegram post, Hamas asserted that the flotilla’s members were “driven by humanitarian concerns” and lambasted Israel for “blocking symbolic aid” to Gaza.
Israeli authorities reiterated that Madleen breached the country’s legal maritime blockade. “Humanitarian aid must be delivered through legal routes like the Port of Ashdod,” an Israeli Navy officer was heard telling the ship’s crew.
Despite the flotilla’s insistence that it was a peaceful civilian mission, Israeli officials had earlier vowed to stop the vessel. Defense Minister Israel Katz had issued a direct warning: “Greta the antisemite and her friends, I say clearly—you will not reach Gaza.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly monitored the flotilla’s journey for days, with military sources confirming that final interception plans were prepared hours before the operation.