The Israeli Navy seized the Gaza-bound British-flagged yacht 'Madleen', operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, with 12 of its crew, including activist Greta Thunberg early Monday. This came as 'Madleen' neared Gaza to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza later on Monday and raise international awareness of the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
However, before it could reach the shores, the Israeli Navy's Shayetet 13 commandos took control of the ship and redirected it to Ashdod port in Israel.
As soon as Israeli forces surrounded the vehicle, Thunberg and other members, actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan – a French member of the European Parliament – claimed they were being kidnapped.
Greta Thunberg has shared a prerecorded video appealing for international help. "My name is Greta Thunberg, and I am from Sweden," Thunberg said. "If you see this video, we are being intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel," she said. "I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible."
The FFC group also posted a photo on Telegram, showing members of the crew sitting inside the boat wearing lifejackets and with their hands in the air. They had sounded an alarm as soon as the Israeli drones began to surround them. "Quadcopters are surrounding the ship, spraying it with a white paint-like substance. Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio," FFC said on its Telegram channel.
SOS messages to follow#alleyesonMadleen pic.twitter.com/O02sv5c1jW
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 9, 2025
No Israel Defence Force soldiers are visible in the image.
Israel responded to the incident, calling the Flotilla a "selfie yacht". "The Israeli Navy is currently in communication with the 'Selfie Yacht'," the statement said. "Through an international communication system, the Navy ordered the 'Selfie Yacht' to change its course as it is approaching a restricted area," a statement before the seizure of the vehicle said.
Gaza freedom flotilla ship Madleen, due to enter Palestinian waters at around 2am local time Monday, has been intercepted by Israeli vessels and quadcopter drones in international waters. The ship has been sprayed with an unknown substance; crew are reporting the ship is being… pic.twitter.com/mpMxGckfMQ
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) June 9, 2025
Israeli Foreign Ministry also released a statement which said "the activist ship seeking to challenge the blockade on Gaza is a "media gimmick".
"The yacht is claiming that it is delivering humanitarian aid. It is a media gimmick for publicity (which includes less than a single truckload of aid) – a 'selfie yacht'," it said. "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 wrote.
The naval blockade on Gaza was imposed by Israel in 2007 after Hamas took control of Gaza and it has remained ever since. Israel says the blockade is essential to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas.
The United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has supported the FFC operation and on Sunday, urged other boats to challenge the Gaza blockade. "Madleen's journey may have ended, but the mission isn't over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza," she wrote on X.
