A Gaza-bound aid vessel, the Madleen, was seized by Israeli forces and diverted to the port of Ashdod on Monday, preventing activists—including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg—from delivering aid to the blockaded Palestinian territory.
The boat, which departed from Italy on June 1 to highlight severe food shortages in Gaza, was intercepted overnight in international waters, according to organizers. An AFP photographer confirmed its arrival in Ashdod around 8:45 p.m. local time, escorted by the Israeli navy.
The United Nations has declared Gaza the “hungriest place on Earth” amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The UN warns that Gaza’s entire population faces famine risks.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission, stated that Israeli troops “forcibly intercepted” the ship around 4:02 a.m. local time as it neared Gaza. In pre-recorded footage released by the coalition, Thunberg said, “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped.”
Video from activists showed them raising their hands as Israeli forces boarded the vessel. No injuries were reported before the seizure.
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the activists’ safety in a social media post, calling the vessel a “selfie yacht” and stating that the passengers would likely be deported.
Turkey condemned the interception as a “heinous attack,” while Iran accused Israel of “piracy” in international waters. The boat was seized approximately 185 kilometers (115 miles) off Gaza’s coast.
French President Emmanuel Macron demanded the swift return of six French nationals aboard, including two journalists—Omar Fayyad of Al Jazeera and Yanis Mhamdi of Blast. Media rights group Reporters Without Borders called for their immediate release.
Al Jazeera denounced the detention of its reporter, demanding his freedom. Meanwhile, Adalah, an Israeli legal rights group, said activists had sought its assistance and were expected to be held before deportation.
In a related effort, activists launched a land convoy from Tunisia on Monday in a “symbolic act” to reach Gaza.
