Israel Seizes 'The Madleen' Gaza Aid Ship, Deports Greta Thunberg & Detains Activists

Activists Intercepted in International Waters

On 9 June 2025, Israeli naval forces intercepted The Madleen, a civilian yacht carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian supplies, roughly 185km off the coast of Gaza.

The vessel, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), had departed from Sicily, Italy, on 1 June, aiming to deliver baby formula, medicine, and food to Gaza and raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis.

Israeli officials dismissed the shipment as a publicity gesture, allegedly claiming its aid volume was smaller than a standard truckload. Its military redirected the boat to the port of Ashdod, citing the need to enforce its long-standing naval blockade on the territory. The Israeli Foreign Ministry labelled the Madleen a “selfie yacht,” accusing the activists of seeking publicity rather than delivering meaningful relief.

Thunberg Made to Leave Israel Voluntarily

Among the 12 detained was Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate activist. On 10 June, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that Thunberg had left the country on a flight to Sweden via France after agreeing to deportation terms. A photo shared by the ministry showed Thunberg seated on the plane.

Prior to her detention, Thunberg recorded a video stating that the group had been “kidnapped in international waters” by Israeli forces and urged supporters to pressure the Swedish government to secure their release.

The Swedish foreign minister dismissed concerns, asserting the activists knowingly took responsibility by ignoring official warnings about Gaza travel. She noted that Thunberg and others were not believed to be in danger and thus did not require consular support. Stenergard also ‘criticised‘ the volume of calls the ministry received after Thunberg’s appeal, saying they disrupted essential consular services for other Swedes abroad.

French Nationals Face Forced Deportation

The Madleen’s passengers included nationals from France, Sweden, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkey. Of the six French citizens on board, five refused to sign deportation orders, including French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan. They now face a situation similar to what detained Palestinians face.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said only one French national had agreed to return voluntarily, while the others would now be brought before an Israeli judicial authority to initiate forced expulsion.

French President Emmanuel Macron had previously urged authorities to facilitate the swift repatriation of detained French nationals.

International Reactions and Condemnations

The Israeli government’s treatment of the activists has drawn sharp international criticism. Turkey called the interception a “heinous attack,” while Iran described it as “piracy” in international waters.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition argued the seizure violated international law and claimed the activists’ detention was unlawful. The group said those who refused deportation could be transferred to Ramle Prison near Tel Aviv.

Adalah, an Israeli human rights NGO that offers legal support to the Arab minority, said it had received legal support requests from those on board.

Broader Context and Aid Controversy

This incident comes amid growing international pressure on Israel to increase humanitarian access to Gaza. Since launching a genocide in October 2023, Israel has enforced strict limitations on aid.

While Israel recently resumed limited aid shipments—reporting over 1,200 trucks and 11 million meals delivered in the past two weeks—it continues to prioritise distribution through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a body backed by the US and Israel.

Many humanitarian organisations and the United Nations refuse to work with the GHF, citing its lack of neutrality.

Since late May, dozens of Palestinians have been killed near GHF distribution sites, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.

Other Solidarity Efforts

Separately, a nine-bus land convoy launched from Tunisia on 10 June in a symbolic move to challenge the blockade. Organisers said they aim to pass through Libya and Egypt, though Cairo has not yet approved their passage.

Meanwhile, the Madleen was not the FFC’s first attempt to break the blockade. In May, another vessel in the flotilla, the Conscience, sustained damage under suspicious circumstances in international waters near Malta, with activists blaming an Israeli drone attack.

Watch videos here: