Gaza mission curbed: IDF intercepts, boards Greta Thunberg's yacht; group calls detention 'arbitrary' and 'unlawful'

A civilian vessel carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and other volunteers was intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday in international waters.

According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which organised the mission, the ship Madleen was attacked at 3:02 am CET. The vessel was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of the Israeli naval blockade. The group claims the ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed crew abducted, and its cargo of food, baby formula and medical supplies confiscated.

“Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,” said Huwaida Arraf, a human rights attorney and Freedom Flotilla organiser. “This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”

Footage posted on the Madleen’s Telegram channel shows activists putting on life jackets in anticipation of the interception. Israel’s military reportedly boarded the vessel after warning it to change course.


Israeli defence minister Israel Katz confirmed the order to prevent the ship from reaching Gaza. “I have instructed the IDF to act so that the hate flotilla does not reach the shores of Gaza and to take all necessary measures to that end,” he said. “To the antisemitic Greta and her friends who echo Hamas propaganda, I say clearly: You’d better turn back – because you will not reach Gaza.”


The Israeli foreign ministry had earlier called the flotilla a “media gimmick” disguised as a humanitarian mission. “The maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to unauthorised vessels under a legal naval blockade, consistent with international law,” the ministry posted on X. “The yacht is claiming that it is delivering humanitarian aid. In fact, it is a media gimmick for publicity (which includes less than a single truckload of aid) – a ‘selfie yacht’.”

This is not the first time the FFC has faced military action. The group says a previous vessel, Conscience, was bombed by an Israeli drone in European waters, injuring four civilians and leaving the ship disabled and on fire.

In response, the coalition has called for the immediate release of all detained volunteers, the delivery of the confiscated aid directly to Palestinians, and accountability for what they call a pattern of unprovoked military aggression.