Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and 28 other pro-Palestinian activists were detained by Israeli forces on June 8 after their yacht, the Madleen, was intercepted in international waters, approximately 100 nautical miles from Gaza.
The vessel, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), aimed to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has restricted aid access since 2007. The interception has sparked global controversy, with Thunberg condemning the action as a violation of international law and vowing to continue her advocacy for Gaza.
The Mission and its Interception
The Madleen set sail from Catania, Sicily, on June 1, carrying a symbolic cargo of humanitarian aid, including baby formula, flour, rice, medical supplies, and prosthetics for children. The FFC’s mission was to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed and 2.3 million face famine risks due to Israel’s blockade, tightened since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.
Ms. Thunberg, joined by activists like French MEP Rima Hassan and Brazilian politician Thiago Ávila, described the voyage as a moral imperative. ‘We are doing this because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity,’ she said at a press conference before departure.
The group faced challenges from the outset, reporting drone surveillance and signal jamming near Egypt’s coast, which they attributed to Israeli interference.
On June 8, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to intercept the Madleen, vowing to prevent any breach of the blockade, which he claimed was necessary to stop arms from reaching Hamas. Katz labeled Thunberg and the activists ‘antisemitic’ and ‘Hamas propagandists,’ a characterization the FFC rejected as a smear to justify force against civilians. Around 2 AM local time, Israeli commandos boarded the yacht, detaining all 29 passengers without reported injuries. The vessel was diverted to Ashdod, Israel, where the activists were held for questioning.
Thunberg’s Response
In a pre-recorded video released by the FFC after the interception, Thunberg stated, ‘If you see this, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli forces or their supporters. I urge my friends, family, and comrades to pressure the Swedish government to secure our release.’ She accused Israel of obstructing humanitarian aid and perpetuating a ‘live-streamed genocide’ in Gaza, reiterating her rejection of antisemitism allegations.
From detention in Ashdod, Thunberg issued a brief statement via the FFC’s Telegram channel on June 9, saying, ‘Israel’s actions today prove their fear of truth and humanity. We carried no weapons, only aid for starving children. The world is watching, and we will not be silenced.’ She called for global protests to demand the activists’ release and an end to the blockade.
Israeli and International reactions
Israel’s Foreign Ministry mocked the Madleen as a ‘selfie yacht’ carrying ‘less than a truckload of aid,’ claiming the mission was a publicity stunt. They shared footage of activists receiving sandwiches and water, asserting the group was safe and would be deported to their home countries. The ministry noted that 1,200 aid trucks had entered Gaza in the past two weeks via Israeli channels, though humanitarian groups argue this is insufficient.
The interception drew sharp criticism. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry demanded the activists’ immediate release, holding Israel responsible for their safety. UN human rights chief Volker Türk called for more ships to sail to Gaza, condemning the blockade’s impact on civilians. Conversely, US Senator Lindsey Graham had earlier taunted the mission, posting on X, ‘Hope Greta and her friends can swim!’
What now?
This was not the FFC’s first attempt to reach Gaza. In May 2025, another vessel, the Conscience, was damaged by drone strikes off Malta, which the group blamed on Israel, though Israel neither confirmed nor denied involvement. Thunberg was set to join that mission but boarded the Madleen instead, undeterred by the earlier attack.
As of June 9, the Madleen’s crew remains in Israeli custody, with their aid cargo confiscated but reportedly slated for transfer to Gaza through Israeli-approved channels. The FFC has called for international pressure to secure the activists’ release, while protests supporting Thunberg have erupted in Catania and near Ashdod’s port.