Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Ship and Deports Greta Thunberg from International Waters

Israel seized the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, which was carrying Greta Thunberg and roughly a dozen activists.

“Israel says it hasdeported Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg, a day after the Gaza-bound aid boat she and 11 other people were on was intercepted by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean”

BBC

The vessel was boarded and forced to dock at Ashdod.

BBC

Multiple outlets report that the boarding happened in international waters, while Israel claims it acted inside a closed maritime zone off Gaza.

The ship was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s effort to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s blockade.

The Madleen left Italy on 1 June and was intercepted on 9 June.

Passengers were detained and taken to Israel.

Israeli authorities redirected the boat to Ashdod and took custody of those on board.

Activists describe the mission as an attempt to break the blockade and deliver aid.

Israel says it will reroute any aid separately.

Israel detained the passengers, conducted medical checks, and moved to deport them.

The Israeli defense minister said the activists would be shown footage of the 7 October massacre; CNN adds they refused to watch.

vijesti.me

CBS and CNN report medical examinations and imminent deportations.

ThePrint reports Israel’s foreign ministry said the passengers would be returned to their home countries.

BBC confirms the passengers, including Thunberg, were detained but unharmed.

Activists and their supporters denounce the boarding as unlawful and abusive.

“Updated on: June 9, 2025 / 5:18 PM EDT/ CBS/AP Anaid boatbound for Gaza carrying environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg and other activists was intercepted by Israeli forces and arrived at an Israeli port on Monday, Israel's Foreign Ministry said”

CBS News

They allege jamming, drone harassment, and chemical exposure during the raid.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition calls it an “unlawful boarding and abduction.”

They say Israel confiscated life-saving aid from the ship.

CNN reports the ship was surrounded by quadcopters, sprayed with a white substance, and hit with disturbing sounds.

Video shows a white residue affecting an activist’s eyes.

Vijesti.me recounts alarms sounding, life jackets being issued, and loss of contact during the incident.

Turkey and prominent politicians condemned the seizure as illegal under international law.

Israel insists it will not allow efforts to undermine the blockade.

This interception occurs within the context of Israel’s long-standing blockade and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

According to the BBC, Israel and Egypt have maintained a land, sea, and air blockade since 2007.

The Guardian

Israel has tightened this blockade alongside increased military operations, causing severe shortages for Gaza’s 2.1 million residents.

Hamas authorities report that more than 54,000 Gazans have died since October 2023.

Israel states that it is allowing aid through official channels and plans to separately handle any cargo seized from the flotilla.

This position is supported by Israeli officials quoted by ThePrint and The Guardian.

However, the BBC and various aid organizations reject Israel’s alternative aid distribution system.

Local reports highlight a US-backed aid initiative that operates without UN cooperation and faces risks around distribution sites.

The seizure also reverberated diplomatically.

“The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has detained the humanitarian ship "Madeleine" that was heading to the Gaza Strip, Minister of Defense Israel Katzsaid”

news.liga.net

RTBF links it to the deadly 2010 flotilla raid that ruptured Israel–Turkey relations.

news.liga.net

CBS notes prior sea missions to Gaza have been repeatedly thwarted.

Turkey, French politicians including Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and lawmakers across Europe and the US condemned the latest interception and demanded the activists’ release and free humanitarian access.

The Guardian places Thunberg’s detention inside a wider diplomatic struggle, citing Macron’s push for a UN-backed process and an Israeli spokesperson’s attack on Thunberg’s motives.

Local reporting adds Thunberg is barred from entering Israel, deepening the picture of state suppression of specific critics.