Israeli forces intercepted a yacht carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and a small quantity of humanitarian supplies as it attempted to reach the Gaza Strip, officials and witnesses say. The vessel, known as the Madleen, was diverted to the Israeli port city of Ashdod after being stopped in international waters, sparking international attention and fresh debate over Gaza’s blockade.
The boat, organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition a group that has long sought to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza imposed in 2007 carried a modest shipment of rice, baby formula, and other aid. Alongside Thunberg was French lawmaker Rima Hassan, adding political weight to the mission.
But hopes for a direct delivery to Gaza were slim from the outset. Previous attempts by similar flotillas have been halted by Israeli forces. In May, for example, the coalition’s vessel Conscience was reportedly attacked by drones off Malta’s coast an incident the activists attributed to Israel.
Greta Thunberg described the interception as a form of “kidnapping,” an accusation dismissed by Israeli officials. Israel’s foreign ministry labelled the mission a “selfie yacht” carrying “less than a single truckload of aid,” suggesting the voyage was more symbolic than substantive.
Defence Minister Israel Katz characterised the flotilla as propaganda, urging troops to use the opportunity to show footage of Hamas attacks that sparked the current conflict. “This is a public relations stunt for Hamas,” Katz said.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, who was in contact with the boat during its journey, described a tense sequence of events. She said the vessel was first surrounded by Israeli speedboats in international waters, then flew over by drones before being boarded by soldiers, which abruptly cut communications.
“It was the first time I heard real distress from those on board,” Albanese told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “They were overwhelmed and powerless.”
The Palestinian foreign ministry has called for the protection of the activists’ safety. Meanwhile, the UN has urged more ships to join efforts to deliver aid to Gaza.
The blockade, enforced by Israel for nearly two decades, has been criticised by many aid groups and the UN for worsening a humanitarian crisis that has only deepened following the recent escalation of violence. Last Sunday, as Palestinians queued for aid distribution, a deadly incident further highlighted the fragility of relief efforts. The current system, supported by Israel and the US, bypasses longstanding UN and NGO channels, drawing criticism for being inadequate and lacking transparency.
As the Madleen remains docked in Ashdod, it stands as a potent symbol of the enduring conflict and the deep divisions surrounding aid to Gaza. For Israel, security concerns dominate. For activists and many international observers, the focus remains on the urgent need to alleviate human suffering.
