The Israeli military on Monday intercepted and seized the Gaza-bound aid vessel Madleen, towing it to Israeli territory, according to a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The Ministry confirmed that the individuals aboard the vessel will be deported to their respective home countries.
The Madleen, a British-flagged yacht operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), had departed from Sicily on June 1. According to a message published on the group’s Telegram channel, the vessel was en route to Gaza and anticipated arriving later that day when it was intercepted.
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Among those on board were Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament. The yacht was transporting a modest consignment of humanitarian supplies, including rice and infant formula.
Earlier on Monday, the FFC accused Israeli forces of abducting the activists onboard the Madleen. The group stated that Israeli troops had forcibly boarded the charity vessel as it attempted to breach the naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.
While #Madleen must be released immediately, every Mediterranean port should send boats with aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail together—united, they will be unstoppable.#BreakingTheSiege is a legal duty for states, and a moral imperative for all of us. pic.twitter.com/FeaD1Fq4Dk
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) June 9, 2025
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, expressed support for the FFC’s efforts. She urged other vessels to continue challenging the blockade, writing on the social media platform X: “Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza.”
In a separate statement, Albanese called for urgent diplomatic action: “As the Madleen was reportedly intercepted and seized by Israeli forces in international waters, the UK government must urgently seek full clarification and secure the immediate release of the vessel and its crew.”
