Activist Greta Thunberg was aboard a ship filled with food supplies sailing to Gaza when it was seized by Israeli commandos. The high-stakes drama unfolded on Sunday in the Mediterranean Sea. European Parliament member Rima Hassan, onboard the ship, reported that Israeli commandos arrested the entire crew in international waters. Hassan shared photos on X showing crew members in life jackets with their hands raised. Greta Thunberg was also seen in those images.
The 22-year-old Swedish environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, embarked on the vessel Madeleine on June 1, 2025. This journey supported the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which advocates for Palestinians, departing from Catania Port in Sicily, Italy.
In response to the operation, FFC reported, "Quadcopters are encircling the ship and spraying a white substance on it. Communication is disrupted, and unsettling noises are audible on radios."
A video shared by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows a navy officer sending a radio message declaring the closure of the maritime area off Gaza's coast.
In a livesteamed video from the boat, activist Yasmin Akar points to a white substance landing on the deck, later noting its impact on her eyes.
Also read:
On Telegram, the FFC group released a video showing crew members sitting inside the vessel with their hands raised.
After contact with the ship broke, FFC started sharing Thunberg's and others’ pre-recorded video messages. In her message, Thunberg explained, "If you're viewing this video, we were stopped and abducted by Israeli or Israeli-supporting forces in international waters."
The humanitarian ship aimed to breach Israel's naval blockade, delivering aid to Gaza and spotlighting the humanitarian crisis globally. The ship carried 12 activists, including French Member of Parliament Rima Hassan and actor Liam Cunningham, loaded with aid materials like baby formula, rice, and medical equipment.
Greta expressed, “We're doing this because silence equates to losing our humanity.” However, the trip was perilous; back in May, drones targeted another flotilla ship, Conscience, which activists blamed Israel for.
Israel had previously threatened to prevent the ship Madeleine from reaching Gaza. By June 7, the ship approached Egypt's coast, but the Israeli army planned an intervention.
In several X posts, Hassan reported that the Freedom Flotilla crew had been detained by the Israeli army in international waters around 2 AM.
On Telegram, the FFC stated that they "lost contact" with Madeleine, claiming the passengers were "abducted" by Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, Israel's Foreign Ministry dubbed the ship Madeleine the "celebrity selfie yacht" and stated it is approaching Israel's coastline. Tel Aviv accused the activist travelers of attempting media provocation to gain publicity and expressed hopes that Madeleine's passengers return to their countries. Israel argued that Greta's primary intention was garnering publicity.
Source: aajtak
Israel declared that over 1,200 aid trucks had entered Gaza within the last two weeks, alongside 11 million meal packets distributed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Israel noted, "There are multiple ways to deliver aid to Gaza— no need for Instagram selfies."
Israel enforced a full blockade over two and a half months to pressure Hamas but has allowed limited humanitarian aid into Gaza in the past month. However, relief organizations warn of an impending famine unless the blockade is fully lifted and military actions cease.
Remarkably, over 50 Israeli hostages remain held by Hamas terrorists.
This action followed the Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz's threat to take "all necessary measures" to block Madeleine from reaching Gaza. Israel stated the blockade implemented since 2007 aimed to prevent arms from reaching Hamas militants in Gaza.
Israeli Embassy spokesperson Guy Neer remarked that the aid mission is more of a publicity stunt, carrying less than 100 pounds of aid, a tiny fraction compared to the aid successfully sent to Gaza daily.
