SRINAGAR: Israeli forces on Monday intercepted a boat carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and detained climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 others aboard. The vessel, part of a mission organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was stopped as it attempted to breach the naval blockade on the Gaza Strip.
As per media reports, the group said the ship was boarded unlawfully and described the action as the “abduction” of unarmed civilians. The boat was carrying aid including baby formula, food, and medical supplies. Israeli authorities confiscated the cargo and took the activists into custody.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry described the mission as a publicity campaign, referring to it on X as a “selfie yacht.” It said the activists would be returned to their home countries and the seized aid would be redirected to Gaza through approved routes.
Footage released later by Israeli officials showed military personnel distributing sandwiches and water to the detainees, who were wearing life vests.
The boat, named Madleen, had departed from Sicily a week earlier. It stopped last Thursday to rescue four migrants who had jumped into the sea to avoid Libyan coast guard detention.
In a message recorded before the ship was intercepted, Thunberg urged supporters to pressure the Swedish government for her release and that of the other detainees.
Among those aboard was Rima Hassan, a French MEP of Palestinian descent, who has been denied entry to Israel due to her stance on Israeli policies.
This latest attempt follows an earlier failed mission last month by the same coalition, when another vessel was damaged by drone strikes in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for that incident.
Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007, after Hamas took control of the territory. Israel intensified restrictions after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. More than half of those hostages have since been released; 55 remain in captivity, with many feared dead.
The war has caused significant damage in Gaza. Over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Humanitarian agencies have warned of famine, saying aid remains insufficient and difficult to deliver under current conditions.
