Israeli Military Detains Greta Thunberg and Other Activists on Gaza Aid Boat

On a quiet morning in the Mediterranean, a small boat named Madleen set sail with a big goal: to deliver aid to Gaza and challenge a long-standing naval blockade.

Carrying activists, including well-known climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, the vessel aimed to shine a light on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

But the journey took a dramatic turn when Israeli forces stepped in. What happened next sparked debates about aid, activism, and international law.

Gaza Aid Boat: A Mission to Break the Blockade

The Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Sicily on June 1, 2025, carrying a small amount of aid like rice and baby formula.

The 12 activists on board, including Thunberg and French politician Rima Hassan, wanted to protest Israel’s restrictions on Gaza, which have left millions at risk of famine.

The group knew the mission was risky—Israel has enforced a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007 to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas, a group it considers a terrorist organization.

Critics, however, argue the blockade punishes civilians by limiting food and medical supplies.

The activists were determined. Thunberg called the mission a stand against “silence” in the face of Gaza’s crisis, where over 54,000 people have died in the ongoing war, according to Gaza health officials.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition hoped their symbolic cargo and high-profile passengers would draw global attention to the issue.

Interception at Sea

Early on June 9, 2025, about 100 nautical miles from Gaza, Israeli naval forces boarded the Madleen in international waters. The activists reported losing contact as alarms sounded and they prepared for interception.

In a pre-recorded video, Thunberg said, “If you see this, we have been intercepted and kidnapped.” The Freedom Flotilla Coalition called the boarding unlawful, claiming the crew was abducted and their aid confiscated.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry, however, described the boat as a “selfie yacht” carrying minimal aid, accusing the activists of staging a publicity stunt.

The ministry said the passengers were safe, given food and water, and would be sent back to their home countries. The aid, they added, would be sent to Gaza through official channels.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had warned the group to turn back, calling their mission propaganda for Hamas.

Timeline of Madleen’s Journey to Challenge the Israeli Naval Blockade

Below is a chronological account of Madleen’s mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s naval blockade, from its planning to the events of June 9, 2025.

Early Planning (April–May 2025)

• April 2025: The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group dedicated to breaking Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, begins planning a new mission. Inspired by previous flotilla attempts, they aim to deliver symbolic aid and draw attention to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
• Mid-May 2025: The coalition selects the Madleen, a small vessel, to carry a modest cargo of rice and baby formula. The mission is designed to protest Israel’s restrictions, which have limited essential supplies to Gaza since 2007.
• Late May 2025: High-profile activists, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and French politician Rima Hassan, join the 12-person crew. Their involvement aims to amplify global awareness of the mission.

Departure from Sicily (June 1, 2025)

• June 1, 2025: The Madleen sets sail from Sicily, Italy, bound for Gaza, approximately 1,500 nautical miles away. The crew knows the journey is risky due to Israel’s enforcement of the naval blockade in international waters.
• June 2–5, 2025: The boat makes steady progress through the Mediterranean. Activists share updates on social media, calling for support and highlighting Gaza’s dire conditions, where over 2 million people face famine risks amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Rising Tensions (June 6–8, 2025)

• June 6, 2025: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issues a public warning, urging the Madleen to turn back. He labels the mission a “propaganda stunt” supporting Hamas and vows to enforce the blockade.
• June 7, 2025: The Freedom Flotilla Coalition responds, asserting their right to sail in international waters and deliver aid. They accuse Israel of violating international law by restricting humanitarian access to Gaza.
• June 8, 2025: The Madleen nears Gaza, now about 100 nautical miles from its coast. The crew prepares for potential interception, recording videos to document their mission. Greta Thunberg records a message stating, “If you see this, we have been intercepted and kidnapped.”

Interception by Israeli Forces (June 9, 2025)

• Early Morning, June 9, 2025: At approximately 4:00 AM, Israeli naval forces approach the Madleen in international waters. Alarms sound on board, and the crew loses contact with the outside world as their communication systems are disrupted.
• Boarding and Detainment: Israeli forces board the vessel, detain the 12 activists, and seize the aid cargo. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition condemns the action as an “unlawful abduction” and demands the release of the crew and delivery of the aid.
• Israeli Response: Israel’s Foreign Ministry states the activists are safe, provided with food and water, and will be deported to their home countries. They describe the Madleen as a “selfie yacht” with minimal aid, insisting the cargo will be transferred to Gaza via official channels.
• Current Status (11:36 AM CEST, June 9, 2025): The activists remain in Israeli custody, awaiting deportation. The Madleen is under Israeli control, and the aid has not yet reached Gaza. The incident has sparked renewed debate about the Israeli naval blockade and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

This timeline captures the key moments of Madleen’s journey, reflecting the challenges of delivering aid to Gaza amid ongoing conflict and restrictions.

A Bigger Picture

This wasn’t the first time the Freedom Flotilla Coalition faced trouble. In May 2025, another of their boats, the Conscience, caught fire off Malta after what the group claimed was an Israeli drone attack.

No one was hurt, but the mission was abandoned. A 2010 flotilla raid by Israel left 10 activists dead, sparking global outrage. These events highlight the dangers of challenging the Israeli naval blockade.

The interception has fueled criticism of Israel’s blockade, with the United Nations and activists like Francesca Albanese calling for more aid to reach Gaza.

Israel insists the blockade is necessary for security, while humanitarian groups warn of worsening starvation. The Madleen’s journey, though stopped, has reignited questions about how to deliver aid to Gaza’s 2 million people safely and effectively.

The story of the Madleen is more than a single boat’s journey—it’s a snapshot of a larger struggle over aid, rights, and conflict in Gaza.

As the activists head back, their message continues to echo: the world must not ignore Gaza’s crisis.

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