Monday, June 9, 2025 - A humanitarian vessel organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was boarded by Israeli forces on Sunday, hours after Israeli officials ordered the crew to abandon their mission to Gaza.
The ship, Madleen, departed Sicily on June 1 with 12
international activists onboard, including Thunberg and Irish actor Liam
Cunningham. The crew intended to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza,
including baby formula, food, and medical aid.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the Freedom Flotilla
Coalition claimed the boat was "unlawfully boarded," its crew
"abducted," and its cargo confiscated.
Earlier that day, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called
the activists “antisemitic” and accused them of promoting Hamas propaganda. “To
the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propagandists — you will not make it
to Gaza,” Katz stated. “Israel will act decisively against any attempt to break
the blockade or support terrorist organizations.”
Thunberg, 22, has been banned from entering Israel due to her
outspoken stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Shortly before the coalition's announcement, Israel’s Foreign
Ministry released footage showing the navy using a loudspeaker to communicate
with the Madleen, warning the crew that the waters off Gaza are part of a
legally enforced naval blockade. “If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to
Gaza, you may do so through the port of Ashdod,” a navy officer stated in the
video.
The Madleen was carrying essential supplies for civilians in
Gaza, where UN agencies have warned that more than two million residents face
severe hunger, with the threat of famine looming. The Freedom Flotilla
Coalition has been organising such missions for over a decade.
Reports from the activists indicate the vessel’s online
tracker had been disrupted by signal jamming during its voyage. The group had
expected to reach Gaza’s coast by Sunday.
In a photo released after the interception, an Israeli
soldier is seen offering water to passengers aboard the British-flagged yacht.
The activists, however, said they were forcibly detained during the operation.
This incident comes a month after another ship affiliated
with the same coalition was reportedly attacked by drones near Malta. All 30
passengers were evacuated safely, and while the group blamed the attack on
Israel, no official response was given.
In 2010, a similar flotilla mission ended in tragedy when
Israeli troops boarded a vessel, resulting in the deaths of nine activists and
injuries to dozens more. The Israeli military at the time said its forces acted
in self-defence after being attacked.
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