Israel intercepts Gaza aid vessel carrying Greta Thunberg, 11 others; labels it 'publicity stunt'

The boat, named Madleen, had departed from Sicily last week in an effort to deliver humanitarian aid and protest Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave.

Israeli naval forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid vessel carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 others on Monday, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the voyage. The boat, named Madleen, had departed from Sicily last week in an effort to deliver humanitarian aid and protest Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave.

In a statement on Telegram, the coalition said contact had been lost with the Madleen and alleged that Israeli forces had “kidnapped” the passengers after boarding the vessel. According to an AFP report, it also had lost communication with the activists on board.

Mahmud Abu-Odeh, a spokesperson for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition based in Germany, cited in the AFP report, stated that the group believes the activists have been arrested by Israeli authorities.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident, taking to microblogging site X, and stated that the Madleen was being safely escorted to Israeli shores.

"All the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over", it informed on X.

All the passengers of the selfie yacht are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over. pic.twitter.com/tLZZYcspJO

Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025

"The “selfie yacht” of the “celebrities” is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries", it noted in the early hours of Monday.

The selfie yacht of the celebrities is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries.While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity and which included pic.twitter.com/eEZSJJHVfd Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025

It further added, "While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity — and which included less than a single truckload of aid — more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza."

"There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies. The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the “celebrities” will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels", it also stated.

The ministry added that the vessel had been directed to change course after nearing a “restricted area,” and it was later towed to Israeli territory. It also dismissed the aid on board as minimal, stating that any supplies “not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels.”

Israel has maintained a naval blockade on Gaza since before the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, citing the need to prevent the smuggling of weapons to militant groups such as Hamas. Israeli authorities had earlier warned they would not allow the Madleen to reach Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition claimed the activists were “kidnapped by Israeli forces” after their vessel was intercepted. Greta Thunberg, the prominent climate activist, was among the 12 individuals aboard the Madleen, which had departed from Sicily a week earlier.

There has been no official confirmation yet regarding the legal status or the whereabouts of the detained activists.