Israeli navy seizes Gaza-bound aid ship
On Monday, the Israeli navy intercepted a British-registered aid ship named Madleen, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). The vessel was sailing toward Gaza with 12 activists on board. Among them were Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg and French lawmaker Rima Hassan. The group aimed to deliver essential supplies and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that its naval forces boarded the ship before it reached Gaza’s waters. Officials redirected the vessel to Ashdod port. “The ‘celebrity selfie yacht’ is safely heading to Israeli shores,” the ministry posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Passengers Detained, Aid Redirected
According to Hassan, Israeli forces detained the passengers in international waters around 2 a.m. A photo posted on social media showed activists seated with raised hands, wearing life vests. The aid, including baby formula and rice, was removed from the vessel. Israeli authorities stated the supplies would be transferred to Gaza through official humanitarian channels.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called the voyage a “publicity stunt.” He ordered that all activists be shown footage of Hamas’s October 7 attacks upon their arrival.
International Response and Gaza Conditions
Hamas condemned the interception as “state terrorism.” The United Nations’ Francesca Albanese expressed support for the flotilla. She urged other Mediterranean countries to send aid ships in solidarity.
Since 2007, Israel has enforced a naval blockade on Gaza to prevent arms smuggling. Following the October 7 conflict, over 54,000 Palestinians have reportedly died. The UN warns of famine and widespread displacement in Gaza, affecting over 2 million people
