Israeli forces intercept Gaza-bound aid vessel with Greta Thunberg on board

Israeli authorities have seized control of a charity vessel attempting to breach the naval blockade around the Gaza Strip, officials confirmed on Sunday.

The boat, carrying 12 people including climate activist Greta Thunberg is now en route to an Israeli port.

The vessel, a British-flagged yacht named Madleen, is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a group supporting the Palestinian cause.

It had planned to deliver a symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza on Monday, as part of an effort to spotlight the dire humanitarian conditions in the besieged enclave.

According to a statement posted by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) on Telegram, the vessel was intercepted overnight before it could arrive at its intended destination.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry later confirmed it had taken control of the yacht, stating on X (formerly Twitter): "The ‘selfie yacht’ of the 'celebrities' is now safely on its way to Israeli shores. The passengers are expected to be sent back to their countries of origin."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that all passengers aboard the seized vessel were unharmed, adding that they had been given sandwiches and water. "The show is over," the ministry remarked.

Among those on board were Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament.

Hassan later posted on X that the Israeli military intercepted the boat around 2 a.m. while it was still in international waters.

She also shared a photo showing the crew sitting on the deck with life jackets on and their hands raised.

The Madleen was carrying a modest supply of humanitarian goods, including baby formula and rice.

Israeli officials said the aid "what little remained after the 'celebrities' didn’t consume it" would be delivered to Gaza via official humanitarian channels.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had earlier instructed the military to stop the yacht from reaching the Gaza coast, calling the flotilla a "propaganda stunt in support of Hamas."

Israel has maintained a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007, after Hamas took control of the coastal territory.

The blockade has persisted through several wars, including the ongoing conflict that erupted following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which claimed more than 1,200 lives, according to Israeli authorities.

Since then, over 54,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed during Israel’s military campaign, with the United Nations warning that a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding, as most of Gaza’s two million residents face extreme food insecurity.

Despite the interception of the Madleen, the mission has drawn international attention. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, expressed her support for the Freedom Flotilla and called for further global action.

"The journey of the Madleen may be over, but the mission continues. Every port in the Mediterranean should send aid and solidarity to Gaza," she posted on X.