On June 9, 2025, Israeli naval forces intercepted the yacht Madleen in the Mediterranean Sea as it attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The vessel, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, carried 12 activists, including Swedish eco-activist Greta Thunberg, French European Parliament member Rima Hassan, and actor Liam Cunningham, known for his role in Game of Thrones. Israel’s Foreign Ministry described the mission as a “media provocation” and confirmed the yacht was redirected to the port of Ashdod.
The interception occurred in international waters after the yacht refused to change course as ordered by Israeli authorities. Israeli special forces boarded the vessel, and all passengers were detained. According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the activists were provided with food and water and were reported to be safe and unharmed. Defense Minister Israel Katz called the operation “swift and secure,” accusing the activists of supporting Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the US and EU.
Following the detention, the activists were transported to Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for deportation to their home countries. Israeli authorities stated that those who refused to sign deportation documents would face judicial proceedings. The passengers included citizens of Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. Thunberg, who has repeatedly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, called the interception a violation of international maritime law and claimed she was “kidnapped” by Israeli forces. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition echoed this, labeling the detention a breach of international law, while Hamas condemned Israel’s actions as “state terrorism.”
Sweden’s Foreign Ministry, through Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, confirmed that Thunberg did not require consular assistance but noted that the ministry was closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that significant humanitarian aid—over 1,200 trucks in the past two weeks—had been delivered to Gaza through official channels, dismissing the yacht’s cargo as minimal and symbolic.
The incident has sparked international debate. Critics, including a UN emergency relief coordinator and foreign ministers from the UK, France, and Germany, argue that Israel’s blockade violates international law by restricting aid to Gaza. In contrast, Israeli authorities insist the blockade is necessary to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas.
Thunberg, who has previously called Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide,” recorded a video urging the Swedish government to push for the activists’ release. The event has reignited discussions about her activism, with Israeli officials, including Katz, labeling her an “antisemite” and referencing the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that killed over 1,000 people.
As of June 10, 2025, the detained activists, including Thunberg, are being deported, with some already en route to their home countries. The humanitarian cargo from the Madleen is set to be transferred to Gaza via official channels.