Greta Thunberg Detained by Israeli Forces as Gaza Aid Boat Seized in International Waters

In a dramatic escalation of tensions surrounding the Gaza blockade, Israeli forces seized the British-flagged aid vessel Madleen early Monday, detaining a crew of 12, including world-renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan. The vessel was on a humanitarian mission to deliver essential aid and draw attention to the deepening crisis in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

The yacht, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), departed from Sicily a week ago carrying baby formula, rice, and medical supplies. But as it neared its destination on June 9, it was boarded in international waters — some 200 kilometers from Gaza — by Israeli forces under the direct orders of Defense Minister Israel Katz.

“The show is over,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry posted on X, referring dismissively to what it called a “selfie yacht of celebrities.” Israeli authorities confirmed the passengers were “safe, unharmed, and provided with sandwiches and water.”

The FFC, however, strongly criticized the operation, calling it a “kidnapping” and violation of international law, noting that the vessel was intercepted well outside Israeli territorial waters. Images shared online showed the activists seated on the boat wearing life jackets, hands in the air — a haunting symbol of the growing conflict between humanitarian advocacy and military enforcement.

Greta Thunberg, who had earlier rescued four migrants during the voyage, released a prerecorded message urging pressure on the Swedish government to ensure her and the others’ release. “We were trying to deliver hope and life-saving aid, not weapons,” she said. Rima Hassan, a fierce critic of Israeli policies and barred from entering Israel, echoed similar sentiments from onboard.

Adalah, a legal rights group representing the activists, issued a firm statement: “Israel had no legal authority to seize the Madleen. This is a breach of international maritime law and a violation of human rights.”

Despite Israeli claims that the boat was only carrying a meager amount of aid, United Nations officials and rights observers insist every shipment counts, especially in a region where over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed and 90% of Gaza’s population displaced. The blockade, in place since 2007, has been repeatedly condemned by humanitarian groups as collective punishment.

Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Palestine, declared her support for the mission, stating: “Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid and solidarity to Gaza.”

Israel, meanwhile, maintains the blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas — the group responsible for the deadly October 7, 2023, assault that killed over 1,200 people and led to the ongoing military offensive. Government spokesperson David Mencer dismissed the flotilla’s efforts as “Instagram activism,” stating: “Greta was not bringing aid, she was bringing herself.”

The Madleen is expected to dock in Ashdod, after which the detained activists will likely be deported. This incident follows another failed attempt by the FFC, whose earlier vessel was reportedly attacked by drones near Malta.

As the world watches closely, the seizure of the aid boat has reignited debate over the ethical boundaries of activism, the rights of civilians during wartime, and the obligations of global powers to respond to humanitarian crises. For many, this is no longer about one boat — it’s about the global conscience.