Israeli forces have seized a British-flagged aid vessel bound for Gaza, detaining its 12-member crew — including climate activist Greta Thunberg — in international waters, in what the Israeli government described as a “propaganda stunt” in support of Hamas.

The yacht Madleen, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was intercepted overnight in international waters before it could reach the coast of the besieged enclave. The FFC said the vessel, which had been carrying a symbolic consignment of humanitarian aid, was aiming to arrive in Gaza on Monday to raise global awareness of the humanitarian crisis.

“The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2 a.m.,” wrote Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who was aboard the vessel, in a post on X. She also shared a photo showing crew members seated on the deck, all wearing life jackets with their hands raised.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Madleen was under its control. “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,” the ministry posted on X.

It later added that all passengers were “safe and unharmed,” stating: “They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over.”

Among the passengers was Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, known for her outspoken support of Palestinian rights. The boat was reportedly carrying a small quantity of aid, including rice and baby formula.

The Foreign Ministry said the aid “that was not consumed by the ‘celebrities’ will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels”.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had ordered the military to prevent the yacht from reaching Gaza, calling the flotilla a “propaganda stunt” in support of Hamas. “Israel will not allow the breach of the naval blockade which is vital to our security,” he said.

Israel’s blockade of Gaza has been in place since 2007, following Hamas’s takeover of the territory. The restrictions, which extend to air and land access, have remained in place through several conflicts, including the ongoing war triggered by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 assault on southern Israel, which killed over 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities.

Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The United Nations has warned of widespread famine in the enclave, where over two million people remain trapped with dwindling access to food, water, and medicine.

Israel insists the blockade is a necessary security measure to prevent arms from reaching Hamas, but human rights experts and aid organisations have called it collective punishment.

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, expressed support for the flotilla’s mission. “Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid and solidarity to Gaza,” she posted on X.

She also urged other vessels to challenge the blockade, describing it as a violation of international humanitarian law.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said it would continue its efforts to deliver aid and bear witness to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, despite the seizure of the Madleen. Further actions have not yet been announced.

Boluwatife Enome

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