Aid boat with Greta Thunberg on board intercepted by Israel
Greta Thunberg and a group of activists aboard the "Madleen" yacht were detained by Israeli forces while en route to Gaza. The activists have since condemned the operation as illegal.
Key information
- Israeli forces have seized the British-flagged yacht "Madleen" carrying aid; 12 activists on board detained
- The vessel tried to break a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, intending to provide aid to the region
- The pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the ship was "unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated."
In the early hours of Monday morning, the British-flagged "Madleen" yacht, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was intercepted by the Israeli forces. The vessel has challenged the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip in a bid to deliver a "symbolic amount" of aid to the region and raise international awareness concerning the situation in Gaza.
Israeli forces have taken control of the boat and detained its 12 passengers, among whom are Greta Thunberg, a Swedish activist known for her involvement in climate and human rights activism, and French MEP Rima Hassan.
"The ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries," wrote the Israeli Foreign Miniter Israel Katz on X.
The FFC's organiser, Huwaida Arraf, has strongly opposed Israel's actions, stating: "Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen. He added that "Madleen" was "unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated."
The UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, took to X to declare: "Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza."
Humanitarian crisis continues
Meanwhile, the Israeli offensive in Gaza continues. According to the Palestinian health authorities, at least 12 people have been killed and others wounded from Israeli fire on Sunday.
For the past two weeks, over 80 people lost their lives near the locations where they were directed to access aid, including food. Witnesses report that nearby Israeli troops opened fire, with hospital officials in Gaza confirming the number of casualties.
Source: The Guardian
