A boat carrying 12 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, has been seized by Israeli forces and towed to the Israeli port city of Ashdod after it attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the boat Madleen has since docked at Ashdod, with those onboard undergoing medical examinations to ensure their well-being.
The ‘Selfie Yacht’ docked at Ashdod Port a short while ago. The passengers are currently undergoing medical examinations to ensure they are in good health. pic.twitter.com/dGOhPxQnYI
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025
The Madleen was intercepted in international waters in the early hours of Monday (9 June), according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which organised the mission.
In a press release, the FFC confirmed that Israeli forces boarded the ship at 3:02am CET, seized its cargo, and detained the vessel’s unarmed civilian crew.
Organisers said there had been no contact with the activists since their detention.
The boat, sailing under a United Kingdom flag, had departed from Italy on 1 June with what the organisers described as essential humanitarian supplies for Gaza’s besieged population.
Among the cargo were baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and children’s prosthetics.
International volunteers and public figures were on board, including citizens of Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey.
Notably among them were Greta Thunberg, Rima Hassan—a French member of the European Parliament—and Omar Faiad, a French journalist with Al Jazeera.
The FFC described Israel’s blockade of Gaza as “genocidal” and illegal under international law.
Israeli Government: ‘Selfie Yacht’
Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the mission as a publicity stunt, describing it as a “selfie yacht” for “celebrities.”
“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 said on X (formerly Twitter).
Israeli officials downplayed the mission’s significance, claiming the vessel carried “less than a single truckload of aid” and that over 1,200 aid trucks had entered Gaza from Israel in the past two weeks.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—a group backed by Israel—had distributed close to 11 million meals, the ministry added.
“There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip—they do not involve Instagram selfies,” it said.
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.
While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity — and which included… pic.twitter.com/eEZSJJHVfd
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025
Global Condemnation
The interception has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights advocates and governments alike.
Huwaida Arraf, a human rights attorney and organiser with the Freedom Flotilla, said the seizure was a violation of international law and defied binding orders by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,” Arraf said.
“This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. These volunteers cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”
Governments of the activists’ home countries have also reacted strongly.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for the swift return of six French citizens on board and urged Israel to ensure their protection.
Sweden’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it was in contact with Israeli authorities, while Turkey condemned the interception as a “heinous attack” in international waters.
The UK government urged Israel to handle the detention “safely with restraint, in line with international humanitarian law.”
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer added: “We have made clear our position in relation to the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The PM has called it appalling and intolerable.”
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, also criticised the seizure.
“Madleen must be released immediately,” she said.
“Breaking the siege is a legal duty for states and a moral imperative for all of us. Every Mediterranean port should send boats with aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail together—united, they will be unstoppable.”
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
Deportation Proceedings Begin
On Tuesday (10 June), Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the passengers had arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to be deported to their respective countries.
“Some of the ‘Selfie Yacht’ passengers are expected to leave within the next few hours,” the ministry said.
“Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority, in accordance with Israeli law, to authorise their deportation.”
Consular representatives from the passengers’ home countries have met them at the airport.
The passengers of the “Selfie Yacht” arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries.
Some of the “Selfie Yacht” passengers are expected to leave within the next few hours.
Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will… pic.twitter.com/szEHmd0rS0— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 10, 2025
Worsening Gaza Crisis
The controversy over the seized aid mission comes amid worsening conditions on the ground in Gaza, where mounting civilian casualties have been reported during attempts to access food and supplies.
More than 130 people have reportedly been killed near distribution points run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) since late May.
Israel has engaged the group to distribute aid amid a total blockade on food, fuel, and medical supplies as its military campaign intensifies.
However, the United Nations and other aid agencies have refused to cooperate with the GHF, questioning its neutrality and warning that it may be enabling Israel’s stated objective of taking over Gaza.
“Israeli authorities have blocked the delivery of safe and dignified aid at scale to the people of Gaza for over three months now,” said the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) on Monday.
“We are not asking for the impossible. Allow us to do our work: assist people in need and preserve their dignity.”
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